PORT CONGESTION THE USA UNDER PRESSURE

 

For more than two years the world of maritime transport has been suffering from unprecedented port congestion, mainly affecting the major world ports in China, Europe and the USA. With the resumption of activity in China, the situation is becoming increasingly tense, particularly in the USA. The waiting time for ships in various ports is getting longer, resulting in an increase in transit time.

CONGESTION WORSENING IN THE USA

The port situation in the USA is deteriorating, both on the East and West coasts. Delivery times are getting longer and longer, with delays of up to 3 weeks in the main ports on the East Coast. Faced with this problem, calls are sometimes cancelled or transshipments are made without being planned.

Various reasons are given to explain this growing congestion:

• Decrease in the number of road carriers to allow for fluidity in the evacuation of containers at the terminals
• Lack of port personnel
• Lack of storage space due to containers that have been waiting for some time
• High number of ships compared to the capacity of the terminals
• Problem of automation of the terminals: since May, the newspaper Ports and Corridors informs us, negotiations are underway between the dockers' unions and the terminal operators concerning this issue in particular. The official date for the end of these negotiations is scheduled for July 1.

It should also be noted that the delivery time by rail transport can be very long. The time between the arrival of the container at the port and the loading on the rail is between 2 and 8 weeks.

These situations can regularly lead to additional parking costs.

THE SITUATION IN OTHER WORLD PORTS

Congestion is also affecting many other ports. The lockdown in China has exacerbated traffic disruptions and resulted in a number of vessels waiting off major ports such as Shanghai. The resumption of its activity with the reopening of production plants is generating a sharp increase in the volumes exported to Western ports.

In France, the port of Le Havre is particularly affected by high import volumes, marked by difficulties in booking appointments at terminals and regular intermittent strikes.

Many other ports in other countries of the world are also affected by this congestion but also by social demonstrations. Indeed, various strike movements have been recorded in Europe, Asia or South America, by port workers or road and rail drivers. These strikes denounce poor working conditions and wages considered too low.

 

Our teams inform you about the situation of international logistics, accompany you and bring you their know-how for all your shipments. Do not hesitate to contact them for more information.