Growing delays and congestion at ports in the US and Asia

The number of container ships in long queues at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach eased last weekend, however, congestion is increasing at other US and Asian ports.

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Container ship moored waiting to dock at Los Angeles (Photo: AFP)

The Marine Exchange of Southern California said the number of ships at anchorage or drifting areas in San Pedro bay on Friday was 62, down from 70 at the start of the week. There are 33 ships docked at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach (LA/LB).

However, the number is expected to increase in the three days after September 25, as up to 19 container ships are expected to arrive at the moorings/drifts and only 12 move into the harbour. "So the trend of container ships at anchor or in drift areas should also be up," Marine Exchange said on social media.

Meanwhile, container shipping line Maersk reported increasing congestion at other US ports and in the Asia-Pacific. In an updated report on the Asia-Pacific market, the Danish shipping line said the port of Seattle continues to struggle with available capacity at the yard with waiting times for berths of 11-12 days, and had to anchor at the arrival port about 7 days compared to the usual 3 days.

On the US East Coast, Maersk said the port of Savannah is becoming increasingly challenging. “There were around 30+ vessels at anchorage with wait times upwards of 7 days in mid-September,” Maersk said.

Meanwhile, loading ports in Asia-Pacific that have been hit by a combination of stormy weather and Covid-related closures in recent months are continuing to be congested. “Operational challenges remain in port operations and the situation is not expected to improve in the immediate future,” Maersk said.

The ports of Busan, Shanghai, Ningbo and Yantian were all reported to have delays of more than three days.

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