UPDATE: U.S. and Canada Ports – Number of Cargo Vessels at Anchor 

• Vancouver: 41 Vessels at Anchor (+11)
• Savannah: 8 Vessels at Anchor (-3)
• Houston: 20 Vessels at Anchor (+1)
• San Francisco/Oakland: 7 Vessels at Anchor (-1)
• Los Angeles/Long Beach: 8 Vessels at Anchor (0)
• Mobile: 4 Vessels at Anchor (0)
• New York/Newark: 2 Vessels at Anchor (0)
• Charleston: 1 Vessels at Anchor (0)

Note: Count taken on December 20, 2022. This count does not include vessels moored and being unloaded at port docks. Colored numbers in parentheses represents the change from last week over. Data is courtesy of MarineTraffic’s live vessel traffic map.

Have another U.S. or Canadian port you’d like us to track weekly? Let us know!

Takeaways

• U.S. West Coast: WC ports had minimal congestion before it was cool and still do. These trailblazing freight hubs continue to harbor only single-digit vessel queues.

• U.S. Gulf Coast: With 20 vessels queued offshore, Houston is still feeling the hangover from an unexpected volume boost in October. However, we expect that the Gulf Coast port will gradually eliminate vessels from its count over the next few weeks.

• U.S. East Coast: Across the board, EC ports have minimal congestion. Savannah us sustaining week-over-week progress and had now entered single-digits for the first time in several months. The Georgian port’s improvement has not gone unnoticed either. Savannah has been reinstated as weekly calls.

• Canada: We can continue to blame Vancouver’s outstanding issue of berthing delays for its endless sway of congestion.

IMPORT: Asia to North America (TPEB)

Recent Developments:

• Los Angeles and Long Beach will both phase out the option to collect a “Container Dwell Fee” on January 24, 2023. The program, announced in late October 2021, has never once been activated.

• West Coast 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.

• Rail congestion is improving as low inbound demand puts less pressure on rail.

Rates: Spot rates are flirting at pre-pandemic levels thanks to waning demand. Additionally, some contracts have been renegotiated to adjust with these market changes and deter shippers from opting for more favorable spot rates.
Space: Space is open.
Capacity: Overcapacity is the current state of this trade. Blank sailings are now typical as a means from carriers to combat this excess market capacity. We expect occurrences of blank sailings to carry over into Q1 2023.
Equipment: Lower volumes have brought relief to equipment deficits. Chassis supply looks to rebound in the new year.
TIPS:
• Book at least two weeks prior to the ready date.
• Blank sailings will continue into the new year. Please plan accordingly.

IMPORT: Europe to North America (TAWB)

Recent Developments:

• An easing market for this trade (and others) has afforded U.S. ports an opportunity to improve on their congestion and wait times.

Rates: Rates have fallen in December thanks to lower demand and carriers adjusting PSS fees. We believe this trend will carry over into the new year barring any surges to demand.
Space: Space to both U.S. coasts have opened up as American port congestion overall eases.
Capacity: Larger vessels have entered the market, including Evergreen’s Tampa Triumph (14,000 TEU capacity), boosting the trade lane’s capacity.
Equipment: The seemingly endless equipment crunch at European ports and inland hubs has improved in pockets.
TIPS:
• Book at least four weeks prior to ready date.
• Strongly consider premium services for no-roll options and improved reliability of cargo.

EXPORT: North America to Asia

Rates: Rates are stable if not slightly decreasing. They are not plummeting in this market like its inbound counterpart (Asia to North America).
Capacity: Capacity remains stable. While blank sailings won’t be as common as they are on inbound lanes, carrier’s preparatory processes for Chinese New Year may lead to some. Please stay advised by your providers for updated information.
Equipment: Chassis and container deficits still exist at inland points, like Kansas City and Memphis, but buy in large, most dry and coastal ports have balanced out their equipment availability, especially the latter.
TIPS:
• Book at least three weeks prior to the time of departure.
• Stay in close communication with your provider and carrier to be aware of any potential developments, like blank sailings, that can affect your shipments.