Maritime News
Congestion continues to rise at the US west coast container ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach ahead of the peak season.
According to an update by container line Hapag-Lloyd some 31 vessels were at anchor in San Pedro Bay and awaiting berths at LA/LB terminals. This up from more 20 vessels at anchor waiting to berth in mid-July, and as few as 10 container vessels waiting in the bay in June.
“All terminals remain and are expected to continue being extremely congested. Further spike on imports is expected as the peak season approaches,” Hapag-Lloyd said.
The number of vessels queued in San Pedro Bay waiting to berth at LA/LB terminals peaked at over 40 in February this year. The fiscal year ended 30 June 2021 was the busiest ever for the Port of Los Angeles with it handling 10.87m teu in the 12-month period. Loaded import – export volumes have also hit a record imbalance of 4:1
Due to the lack of space at LA/LB terminal Hapag-Lloyd said any change of destination required at least four days notice customers were urged to expedite the pick-up of import containers.
The ports are having to handle massively increased import volumes at a time where a bout of Covid-19 has ripped through much of the workforce.
Mapping data taken from MarineTraffic today (see below) shows the extraordinary logjam along the Californian coastline. The 11,568 teu MSC Aino, anchored at the back of the queue, is lying opposite Newport Beach, a popular surfing destination, some 20 km away from its terminal destination.
Sources : Seatrade Maritime News | Splash247
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