The backup of container ships off Southern California’s coast that has been at the heart of US supply chain congestion during the pandemic has finally disappeared. The Marine Exchange of Southern California reports that the queue of ships waiting to unload at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach fell from a peak of 109 ships in January to 4 vessels this week.
Shipping experts say fewer ships than normal are heading to the main US gateway complex for imports from Asia in coming days and that cargo volumes that had long swamped the ports now are receding.
Bottlenecks continue to delay cargo at other major US seaports and at inland freight hubs, but the end of the backup at the big ports in California indicates that the broader supply-chain troubles are ending.
Port and Biden administration officials point to a range of factors that have helped ease congestion, including a tighter queuing system that had ships lining up further out in the Pacific, new container yards that freed up space on docks, and government initiatives that fostered better collaboration between retailers, ports, railroads and truckers.
But the biggest gain likely has come from fewer boxes reaching the busiest US seaport complex for container imports. US import volumes are declining, according to trade data analysts, and a growing share of the shipments are heading to ports on the East and Gulf coasts as importers ship away from the Southern California backup.
Source: hellenicshippingnews.com