Shipping performances are down for Q3, the third consecutive quarter of declining figures.

This is according to the latest Carrier Performance Insight from Drewry, which recorded a drop in key performance indicators for shipping and containers reliability, suggesting less shipments are arriving on time.

Container figures have dropped below 70 per cent since 2012, which the firm argues is the result of weak business from between Asia and Europe. Compared to Q3 2012, current figures are down 1.5 per cent.

Drewry's research manager Simon Heaney said: "While carriers are rightfully looking to cut costs, they need to keep focus on delivering the service their customers demand."

In terms of companies, Drewry states Maersk Line was the top performer for the quarter, but even it had less on-time deliveries compared to Q2. Only 79.3 per cent of its trades were on time, down from 82 per cent.

The company - which also utilises the world's largest, 18,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit carrying vessel Majestic Maersk - has earned the top spot of Drewry's reliability rankings in 13 out of the last 15 quarters.