BREAKING NEWS – PORT AND RAIL DELAYS

BREAKING NEWS – Port and Rail Delays

1/15/21

Los Angeles / Long Beach (LAX/LGB) Vessel/Terminal (T) Delay Update:

Congestion could clog California ports into February, Hapag-Lloyd warns in a recent update.  According to their website, there are currently 32 ships at anchor awaiting berths in LAX/LGB as of Friday Jan 15th. All terminals continue to be congested due to the spike in import volumes and the same is expected to last until February 2021.

Customers are urged to expedite the pickup of import containers. Moreover, terminals are working with limited labor and split shifts (COVID-19 related). These labor shortages affect all terminals turn-around-time (TAT) for truckers, inter-terminal transfers, the number of daily appointments available for gate transactions, and generates delays in Hapag’s vessels operations. 

Increased dwell times for import volumes and large inventories of empty containers continue to impact operations at all terminals. Gate turn times for truckers have increased slightly due to shortened work weeks and volumes. Terminals have been extending gate and terminal hours when necessary to accommodate import deliveries.

Canadian Terminal Delays Update:

There is currently heavy congestion at all terminals in Vancouver and Price Rupert due to the spike in import volumes and the same is expected to last until the end of Q1 2021. Weekend labor shortages and high winds continue to impact productivity. Berth delays are significant with vessels being held off berth for days.

Rail: Railcar supply is stable, however, under target which is contributing to yard and berth congestion.

Total delays can be excessive. Western Overseas Corporation will continue to monitor your freight and provide you with updates as to cargo status.