FILE PHOTO: Container ships and oil tankers wait outside the Port of Long Beach-Port of Los Angeles complex. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
By Nick Savvides (The Loadstar) –
Growing congestion fears in Asia are being matched by an apparent resurgence of delays at US west coast ports.
Today’s AIS data shows around 30 ships at anchor in San Pedro Bay, offshore from Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, with Maersk warning customers of severe delays.
Maersk told customers the situation in Southern California had “deteriorated”, with the number of vessels at anchorage doubling over the last few weeks.
Moreover, on the east coast and in the south-east, the carrier said there was a two-week trucking delay to add to container dwell times, with further difficulties in sourcing chassis.
And rail congestion is further exacerbating the delays in US import deliveries and the return of empties to Asia for exports.
According to the Danish carrier, average dwell times in the US have increased by 35%, meaning there is 35% less capacity overall.
“Over the past several weeks we have started to see a rapid increase in the average container dwell time,” said Maersk, adding: “As a related impact, long-dwelling containers is also adding to the growing chassis shortage across much of the Midwest and parts of the north-east.
“Adding to that now are rail car shortages and rail yard capacity limitations that have led to an overall reduction in the number services from the west coast.
“To conclude, in the Pacific south-west, chassis availability once again remains the top theme, with several terminals now turning away bobtails to maximise output. Rail dwells into the Midwest is a growing theme as rail car availability remains limited.”
The Loadstar is known at the highest levels of logistics and supply chain management as one of the best sources of influential analysis and commentary.
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 109,835 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
Twelve European countries are set to clamp down on tankers that move millions of barrels of Russian petroleum around the world — by asking to see how they’re protected against oil spills and other high-cost claims.
The EU’s 15th sanctions package against Russia for the first time targets Yamal LNG by including a carrier in service of the project. The ice-capable tanker Christophe de Margerie, one...
The European Union has unveiled its 15th package of restrictive measures, specifically targeting Putin’s shadow fleet and maritime circumvention efforts. The latest sanctions package introduces port access bans and service...
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign Up
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 109,835 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
