Port Congestion Update 11/26/21

Weekly Vessels Anchored and at Terminals as of 11/26/2021

LA & LB: Anchored 61 | Terminal 30
Oakland: Anchored n/a | Terminal n/a | Drifting n/a
NWSA: Anchored n/a | Terminal n/a | Drifting n/a

Vessel Congestion Update
On November 22, 2021, The Marine Exchange of Southern California reported a total of 145 vessels at the port complex of Los Angeles (LA) and Long Beach (LB). Of the 145 vessels, 91 are container ships with 30 at berth/terminal and 61 at anchorage or drift, which is approximately 15 fewer container vessels from the previous week waiting on the water for a berth. The vessels are waiting for an average of 17-19  days to reach a terminal to unload the containers.

Status of San Pedro Dwell Time Fee – Extended Until 11/29/21
On 11/22/21, both LA/LB ports announced a further postponement of the Container Dwell Fee. As continued progress in moving containers off marine terminals is being realized, the fee will not be considered before November 29th. Since the fee was announced on October 25th, the twin ports have seen a decline of 33% in aging cargo on the docks. Both port executive directors are satisfied with the progress thus far and will reassess fee implementation after another week of monitoring data. The policy was developed in coordination with the Biden-Harris Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force, U.S. Dept. Of Transportation, and multiple supply chain stakeholders. Any fees collected from the dwelling cargo will be reinvested for programs designed to enhance efficiency, accelerate cargo velocity, and address congestion impacts.

Port of Vancouver Grapples with Storm Aftermath
Marine terminal and cargo operations remain operational, but will be closed on November 24 & 25 to observe the Thanksgiving holiday. On November 26, vessel activity is scheduled to be conducted as usual. Trucks are operating under normal conditions at all four container terminals, as the port’s marine terminal and cargo operations remain fully operational. Anchorage demand for vessels remains high and nearing capacity across all vessel types.

The province of British Columbia (BC) is a major conduit to Asian markets and home to one of the busiest ports on the West Coast. Recently, floods and mudslides severed access to the country’s largest port area which was feared to disrupt an already strained global supply chain. On November 17th, the area declared a state of emergency after a deluge of rain pounded the area along with subsequent rainfall that followed. A Canadian federal and provincial government joint task force was charged to restore the flow of goods through British Columbia and to prioritize and advise on the best routes to use for the movement of goods across all transportation modes while balancing community needs and national economic interest. Rail operations have made considerable progress to restore multiple rail sections and rail lines were anticipated to be restored by mid-week. Intermittent openings of one highway route are allowing some commercial vehicles to transit westbound from Hope to Vancouver. Reconstruction and repairs on all major roadways from the B.C. interior continue. The port moves $440 million worth of cargo each day and urgency to restore the area continues.

Please contact your Western Overseas representative with any questions.