UPDATE: U.S./Canada Ports – Number of Vessels at Anchor as of 09-27-22 

• Vancouver: 39 Vessels at Anchor (-2)
• Houston: 32 Vessels at Anchor (-2)
• Savannah: 30 Vessels at Anchor (+2)
• San Francisco/Oakland: 9 Vessels at Anchor (+4)
• New York/Newark: 8 Vessels at Anchor (-8)
• Los Angeles/Long Beach: 8 Vessels at Anchor (-1)
• Mobile: 5 Vessels at Anchor (-7)
• Charleston: 3 Vessels at Anchor (-2)

Note: This count does not include vessels moored and being unloaded at port docks. Colored numbers in parentheses represents the change from last week over.

Courtesy: MarineTraffic

Takeaways

• U.S. West Coast: Not only is the congestion down, it’s also been consistent with little change week over week. Clearly, the U.S. WC is most the stable of the three in respects to vessel congestion.
• U.S. Gulf Coast: Houston remains to be the epicenter of congestion for the Gulf (and the U.S. this week).
• U.S. East Coast: The U.S. EC continues to be at the forefront of vessel congestion, headlined by Savannah.
  • New York/Newark has enjoyed a notable drop in vessels at anchor. This could be an indicator of carriers weary to call with concerns to the port’s proposed dwell fee on sitting containers. However, this is just speculation right now. We will see if this number sustains week-over-week over the next month.
• Canada: The Canadian West Coast ports are at near yard capacity. Vancouver and Prince Rupert have been subject to vessel berthing delay issues.

IMPORT: Asia to North America (TPEB)

Recent Developments:

• China’s Golden Week begins next week, October 1 through October 7. Factories in China are closed during this time.
  • The holiday’s typical impacts to capacity and rates are not as significant when compared to last year.
• There’s growing optimism around intermodal delays and inland congestion with railroad strikes called-off after a tentative labor deal was met. Some shippers are weary though if rail service will improve from this deal alone.
• Contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) remain active. The existing labor contract between the two parties expired July 1.
  • ILWU members at the ports of Oakland and Seattle-Tacoma engaged in job actions that slowed down cargo-handling operations.
• Blank sailings are becoming more commonplace as carriers aim to cut down on port congestion, especially on USEC.

Rates: Rates continue to fall. Notably from Chinese base ports to all U.S. coasts.
Space: Space is generally open at this time.
Capacity: Capacity has tightened in pockets. Shippers continue to divert cargo to the USEC and USGC due to fears of disruptions at West Coast ports from ongoing labor talks.
Equipment: Some inland terminals are reaching max capacity with inventory. Intermodal systems remain stressed with congestion and truck and chassis deficits.
TIPS:

• Book at least two weeks prior to the ready date.
• For cargo ready now, take advantage of opening space and fallen rates on the spot market.
• Reconsider averting West Coast routings. The “hot spots” for ship congestion and vessel wait times has shifted to the East Coast.

IMPORT: Europe to North America (TAWB)

Recent Developments:

• Northern European hubs, such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg, remain congested.
• Labor-related tensions remain gripping the U.K’s ports as unions dispute over a new pay deal that matches inflation rates.
  • Around 1,900 dockworkers at Britain’s largest container port, Felixstowe, have begun their second walkout yesterday and will do so until October 5.
  • Some 560 dockworkers at Britain’s Port of Liverpool are on strike and will continue until October 3.
• USWC ports have seen port and yard congestion and improvements to vessel waiting times.
• On the USEC, both ports of New York/Newark and Savannah remain having a significant number of backlogged vessels at anchor off their respective shores.
  • The Port of Houston, on the U.S. Gulf Coast, is also grappling with vessel congestion.

Rates: Rates have seen some decreases. However, not at the same clip as other trade lanes.
Space: Space remains tight to the USEC. However, space has opened for direct routings to the USWC.
Capacity: Capacity for both North Europe and Mediterranean services remain gripped. Low water level of Germany’s Rhine River continues and both terminals experience a shift from barge to truck capacity for import and export delivery/pick-up.
Equipment: Equipment at European seaports is not as readily available as it has been for the past few months. Inland terminals in Europe are also still reporting equipment shortages. On the U.S. side, truck and chassis availability remain concerning, especially with the latter.
TIPS:

• Book five or more weeks prior to ready date.
• Strongly consider premium services for no-roll options and improved reliability of cargo.
• Be flexible and entertain alternative routings. They could cut back on wait times and/or costs.

EXPORT: North America to Asia

Recent Developments:

• For the USEC, port congestion remains an issue for Savannah and New York/Newark
• Diminished schedule integrity continues to challenge post earliest return dates.
• Vessel arrivals remain smooth for USWC POLs.

Rates: So far, no GRIs announced for October.
Capacity: Available capacity remains fluid for USWC POLs.
Equipment: Truck, container, and chassis availability remains dire and has significantly contributed to congestion of the intermodal system and IPI origins. Standard equipment at ports remains available unless carriers advise otherwise.
TIPS:

• Book four to five weeks prior to the time of departure to secure necessary equipment and vessel space.