The world's busiest container port, Yangshan in China's Shanghai, is grappling with congestion reportedly brought on by dense fog, high volumes and the aftermath of a shake-up in shipping alliances.

The congestion is not expected to clear up until the second half of May.

Shipping software provider CargoSmart said the port had been experiencing "serious congestion" after the fog started in early April.

News agency Reuters reported more than 100 container vessels had been waiting outside the port last week with an average wait of 18.2 hours.

However, JOC reported the number of vessels had since dropped down to around 80 this week.

"We are making efforts to adjust and coordinate the entire port's resources and making every effort to ensure operations of the port are carried out smoothly," said a spokeswoman for Shanghai International Port Group.

German container shipping line Hapag-Lloyd told customers in a notice on Thursday that it was monitoring the situation closely and working with the port to minimize delays, Reuters reported.

Denmark's Maersk Line, part of A.P. Moller-Maersk, also confirmed that some of its vessels had been affected by the congestion.

Reuters also reported that a 'rejig' in global container shipping alliances involving more than 10 ocean carriers took effect on April 1, causing route adjustments and also putting larger ships into operation.

It added executives had also said shipping volumes had been increasing in general.

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