> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://blog.shipsgo.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Top 10 Most Tracked Shipping Routes in H1 2026: Insights from Shipsgo Data - URL: https://blog.shipsgo.com/top-10-most-tracked-ocean-trade-routes-in-h1-2026-insights-from-shipsgo-data/ - Published: 2026-07-28T07:57:34.000Z - Updated: 2026-07-28T08:12:45.000Z - Description: Discover the Top 10 most tracked ocean trade routes in H1 2026 based on aggregated Shipsgo shipment tracking data. Explore transit times, direct service ratios, and regional shipping trends from the first half of the year. - Author: Ecem Kalaycı - Tags: News & Industry Insights Every day, thousands of container shipments are tracked through the Shipsgo platform, providing valuable insights into global shipping activity. To better understand shipping patterns in the first half of 2026, we analyzed aggregated and anonymized shipment tracking data between **January 1 and June 30, 2026**. This report highlights the **10 most tracked trade routes**, the balance between direct and transshipment services, average transit times, and the carriers most frequently used across all tracked shipments. > **Methodology:** Rankings are based on aggregated shipment tracking activity on the Shipsgo platform and do not represent global container throughput. --- # H1 2026 Dataset Overview - **Analysis Period:** January 1 – June 30, 2026 - **Data Source:** Aggregated Shipsgo Ocean Tracking data - **Scope:** Global container shipment tracking activity - **Metrics Analyzed:** Route popularity, direct vs. transshipment services, average transit time, and carrier distribution [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4a/e2/4ae2cc24-2b5d-476a-8150-08122e8500ce/content/images/2026/07/Group-1261152914-1024x208-1.png)](https://shipsgo.com/dashboard?ref=blog.shipsgo.com) Track your container shipments in real time with Shipsgo and stay informed at every stage of the journey. --- # Top 10 Most Tracked Shipping Routes | Rank | Route | Share | Direct | Transshipment | Avg. Transit Time | | ---- | ------------------------------- | ----- | ------ | ------------- | ----------------- | | 1 | Ningbo → Valencia | 0.5% | 89.6% | 10.4% | 42 days | | 2 | Aliaga (Izmir) → Felixstowe | 0.4% | 99.6% | 0.4% | 12 days | | 3 | Shekou (Shenzhen) → Valencia | 0.4% | 88.9% | 11.1% | 38 days | | 4 | Valparaiso → Hong Kong | 0.3% | 100.0% | 0.0% | 25 days | | 5 | Aliaga (Izmir) → Antwerp | 0.3% | 98.5% | 1.5% | 20 days | | 6 | Shanghai → Istanbul (Ambarlı) | 0.3% | 66.5% | 33.5% | 52 days | | 7 | Aliaga (Izmir) → New York | 0.3% | 91.7% | 8.3% | 21 days | | 8 | Istanbul (Ambarlı) → Felixstowe | 0.3% | 100.0% | 0.0% | 15 days | | 9 | Shanghai → Barcelona | 0.3% | 91.6% | 8.4% | 50 days | | 10 | Shanghai → Valencia | 0.3% | 90.0% | 10.0% | 46 days | --- # Key Findings ## Türkiye Origin Shipments Stand Out Three of the ten most tracked routes originated from **Aliaga (Izmir)**, while another began from **Istanbul (Ambarlı)**. Together, these routes accounted for a significant share of tracked shipments, reflecting strong export activity from Türkiye to Europe and North America. Notably: - **Aliaga → Felixstowe** was almost entirely served by direct services (99.6%) with an average transit time of just **12 days**. - **Aliaga → Antwerp** maintained a similarly high direct service ratio (98.5%), averaging **20 days**. - **Aliaga → New York** also relied primarily on direct sailings (91.7%), with an average transit time of **21 days**. --- ## China–Mediterranean Routes Continue to Lead Chinese export ports remained highly represented in the rankings. Routes from **Ningbo**, **Shanghai**, and **Shekou (Shenzhen)** to Mediterranean destinations such as Valencia, Barcelona, and Istanbul accounted for multiple entries in the Top 10. These routes generally showed: - Transit times ranging from **38 to 52 days** - High reliance on direct services (around 90%) for European destinations - Longer transit times on routes involving additional operational complexity, such as Shanghai to Istanbul --- ## Direct Services Dominate One of the most notable findings from the dataset is the high proportion of direct services across the leading trade lanes. Among the Top 10 routes: - Two routes operated with **100% direct services** - Four additional routes exceeded **90% direct sailings** - Only one route, **Shanghai → Istanbul (Ambarlı)**, recorded transshipment above 30% This indicates that many of the most frequently tracked routes on the Shipsgo platform benefit from relatively straightforward service structures. --- ### Transit Times Vary by Trade Lane Average transit times ranged from **12 days** to **52 days**, reflecting the diversity of regional and intercontinental shipping networks. The shortest average transit time was recorded on **Aliaga (Izmir) → Felixstowe** at **12 days**, while **Shanghai → Istanbul (Ambarlı)** had the longest average transit time at **52 days**. These differences highlight how origin, destination, and service structure can significantly influence shipment duration. --- # Key Takeaways The H1 2026 shipment tracking data reveals several noteworthy patterns: - **Türkiye accounted for four of the ten most tracked routes**, emphasizing its strong export connectivity with Europe and North America. - **China remained the leading origin for long-haul shipments**, with four routes connecting to Mediterranean destinations. - **Direct services dominated the rankings**, with most routes operating almost entirely without transshipment. - **Transit times ranged from 12 to 52 days**, depending on route length and service configuration. These findings are based exclusively on shipment tracking activity observed on the Shipsgo platform during the first half of 2026 and provide a data-driven snapshot of shipping patterns across key trade lanes. --- ## About This Report This report is based exclusively on aggregated and anonymized shipment tracking activity processed through the Shipsgo platform between **January 1 and June 30, 2026**. The rankings reflect the most tracked trade routes within the Shipsgo dataset and should be interpreted as platform-specific insights rather than global container throughput rankings. --- ### Ready to Track Your Shipments? Whether you're managing a few containers or thousands of shipments, Shipsgo helps you stay informed with accurate and automated tracking. 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