Ports Across the US Facing Overcrowding Issues
As we approach the holiday season and Black Friday drawing near, major retailers in the US are in a rush to prepare their seasonal inventory for quick deployment. However, similar to many other international ports, seaports along all US coastlines are experiencing significant delays. Container ships attempting to dock at key ports in New York and California have been encountering a lack of available space. Consequently, approximately 250,000 containers filled with various goods are currently stranded at sea, awaiting their turn to unload.
Gene Seroka, the executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, explained to CBS, “There’s simply no room to accommodate this cargo. Our docks are at full capacity. Consignees must promptly pick up their cargo. Only half of the registered truck drivers servicing our port visit us at least once a week. We require more drivers to handle the load.”
Truck drivers argue that the ports are operating at a slow pace, with a single pickup consuming as long as seven hours, extending well into the night. Major ports such as the Port of Los Angeles have had to extend their operating hours, albeit not yet functioning round the clock.
Cargo vessels continue to queue off the coast of Southern California, potentially leading to rising product prices despite empty store shelves. https://t.co/3iLLjzIKQV
— CBS4 Miami (@CBSMiami) October 5, 2021
“Multiple points in the supply chain need to synchronize. Having warehouses operate around the clock could be advantageous for us,” added Seroka.
These delays in shipping are raising concerns about the reliability of retailers during the approaching holiday shopping period. Smaller retailers have depleted most of their inventory, already stocking almost everything they have. Larger retailers like Walmart have been compelled to secure private shipping vessels, but these vessels are equally impacted by the congested ports as others.
