After the New Years import export started to increase again and after being congested for the last two weeks. The mapping data from Marine Traffic shows the Port of Oakland congestion has a 6 miles queue. As of today there are 17 ships in queue, from which 3 are tankers and the rest are box ships. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach has a 16 miles queue and 43 ships waiting to berth outside the port ( 11 are tankers, the rest are box ships ).
Only 4 cargo ships are docked now in Oakland, the shipyard looks so empty from the early this year satellite pictures of the port, usually there are thousandths of shipping containers stacked, now looks desolated. On the other hand Port of Long beach are 12 ships docked and the shipyard looks more animated and with some inventory in stock.
Two weeks ago CMA CGM announced they will have direct line from Asia to Oakland, so that way they hope to decongest the Port of Los Angeles and Long beach. CMA CGM is trying to expand services to include Seattle for the Pacific Northwest customers. They believe the West Coast as great opportunities to explore and also to meet the market demand while also providing some relief to the congestion down south.
Normally, carriers activate recovery vessels, or alternate ships, to take the place of a delayed vessel. But with essentially all capacity already in use and no ships available for charter, carriers are simply cancelling sailings to catch up with schedules.
The Federal Maritime Commission suggested all the carrier to use other ports as well to avoid congestion . They are advised to use Tacoma and Seattle for the upcoming weeks, and FMC is asking the US administration to prioritize dock workers vaccinations, so the ports work force shortage can stop and congestion be reduced. Let’s hope for better days on the West Coast and all over the country!
