Port Congestion and Driver Shortages

Congestion continues to be a persistent problem in ports all over the world. From Asia to Europe to the United States, larger ships are bringing in more containers and having to stay in port longer, creating congestion and delays. Although more containers are arriving, there are less and less truckers available to transport cargo to its final destination. North American ports like Los Angeles/Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, and Norfolk are especially feeling the effects of congestion and truck power shortages as evidenced by increasing dwell times and chassis shortages. Import container dwell times are averaging between 5 and 8 days depending on the port and whether the container is moving via truck or rail.
We are working with our members to find solutions and mitigate the effects of the congestion and driver shortages. Whether it is juggling arrival ports to avoid the worst congestion, expanding our pool of trucking companies, arranging weekend deliveries, or working with our carriers to prioritize container movement, we will do our best to assist. Please be aware that certain carriers are charging demurrage and per diem charges even when they are responsible for doing the delivery, a sign that carriers are less willing to perform inland deliveries under the current conditions. To promote the dialogue and discussion of the causes and implications of port congestion, the Federal Maritime Commission is holding a public forum September 15, 2014, at the Port of Los Angeles. All members of the shipping industry are encouraged to attend.