Port Congestion Update 07/30/2021

Weekly Vessels Anchored and at Terminals as of 07/30/2021

LA & LB: Anchored 22 | Terminal 28
Oakland: Anchored 5 | Terminal 7 | Coastal 2
NWSA: Anchored 12 | Terminal 7 | Coastal 1

Vessel Congestion Update:
The port complex of Los Angeles and Long Beach is not as backlogged as in April 2021, when over 100 vessels were waiting in anchorage, however, there are still double digits of container vessels currently waiting in anchorage. Container vessels are spending an average of 3.7 – 5.7 days in anchor. It is projected to worsen due to ongoing rail issues, shortage of equipment, and other supply chain woes.

This week, the port of Houston closed on Thursday, July 28, 2021, at Bayport & Barbours Cut Terminals, due to a hardware failure that disabled both container terminals. Roger Guenthur, Executive Director, Port of Houston stated in part: “It was not a cyber-attack that caused the operating system failure on July 28, 2021.” The replacement equipment is now available but it will take time to install. As of July 29, 2021, a projected date to reopen both terminals had not been provided.

Terminal yards are at near or full capacity with continuing problems on repositioning equipment. Congestion continues and has been slow to improve. Vessel schedule reliability has not recovered and may not return to normalcy until 2022.

TMF (Pierpass Fee) At Ports of LA/LB To Increase on August 1, 2021
The West Coast MTO Agreement (WCMTOA) announced that on August 1, 2021, the Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) also known as the Pier Pass fee at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will increase by 2.2%. The TMF helps offset the cost of operating extended gate hours. Labor costs are the largest single component of extended gate costs.

Please contact your Western Overseas representative if you have any questions.