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

• Vancouver: 30 Vessels at Anchor (-7)
• Savannah: 27 Vessels at Anchor (-3)
• Houston: 8 Vessels at Anchor (-6)
• San Francisco/Oakland: 7 Vessels at Anchor (-1)
• Los Angeles/Long Beach: 4 Vessels at Anchor (-3)
• Mobile: 6 Vessels at Anchor (+2)
• New York/Newark: 2 Vessels at Anchor (-1)
• Charleston: 2 Vessels at Anchor (+2)

Note: Count taken on November 22, 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: If the WC was a person, shippers would view is as a 10 for looks (vessel congestion) and then a 5 for personality (rail service, dwell times, and labor tensions). Despite ports, like Long Beach, making efforts to reassure that the WC is capable, anxious shippers continue to avert it in favor for the EC and GC.

• U.S. Gulf Coast: As we suspected, less marine traffic has piled up outside Houston. This week marked a newfound low for the Gulf’s largest port and the first time its vessel count plunged into single digits over the past several months. 

Meanwhile, labor-related tensions have hit Mobile and could impact its vessel traffic. The Gulf Coast port is currently negotiating around strike action taken yesterday by its longshore workers. Specifically. Mobile’s breakbulk dockworkers are looking to secure a new contract with the port. They have not had a formal contract since 2018. 

• U.S. East Coast: New York – once floating near Savannah with its backlog just a few months ago- has now tied Charleston as one of the least congested gateways in the U.S. with New York’s vessel count minimal, Savannah now more than ever sticks out like a sore thumb along the coastline. 27 vessels – nearly 13 times as many as New York – are strewn offshore. 

Among all the U.S. ports above, Savannah is the only port with a count above single digits. While it’s seen a slight week-over-week drop, the Georgian port has a lot of headwind to face to make a sizeable cut to its congestion. Courtesy of MarineTraffic.

• Canada: Vancouver saw seven vessels eliminated week-over-week, but the port’s congestion remains punctuated with 30 ships to its backlog. With berthing delays continuing to plague Canada’s premier gateway, it’s uncertain to use right now on when Vancouver will observe sustained progress to its sizeable backlog. 

IMPORT: Asia to North America (TPEB)

Recent Developments:

• 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 considerable at most ports, including inland hubs. 

• Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Houston remain at the forefront for dwell times – still hovering around 14-20 days.

Rates: Near pre-pandemic rate levels have slightly fallen again. Speculation remains on when or if we will hit a post-pandemic floor with ocean freight and what rates will settle as. In addition, carriers have announced GRIs, effective November 15, affecting all U.S., and Canadian destinations. Of course, these typical general increases will bring added costs to ocean freight rates. 
Space: Space is open.
Capacity: Carriers have reduced their capacities to balance the market amid low demand. Capacity remains generally open for transpacific trade. 
Equipment: Chassis availability is in a crunch in pockets, but with production amping up and lower import volumes coming through, there is hope of relief. Congested rail ramps remain a frequent fixture. 
TIPS:
• Book at least two weeks prior to the ready date.
• For cargo ready now, take advantage of open space and softened rates on the spot market. 
• Blank sailings are in play which may affect schedule integrity. 

IMPORT: Europe to North America (TAWB)

Recent Developments:

• Labor-related tensions are still stirring in the U.K. as the country’s largest port, Felixstowe, remains without a deal between unions and port employers. Further strike action is possible. However, the two parties have been actively negotiating.  

Please watch our recent webinar for a closer look at the U.K.’s current labor tensions. We were joined by our British partners and discussed the impacts in greater detail. 

Rates: While capacity has been added and demand has stayed relatively low, rates have not observed a dramatic drop – only slight decreases. 
Space: Space to both U.S. coasts have opened up from the introductions of more vessels in October and November to the TWAB lane.
Capacity: Capacity has increased.
Equipment: Equipment availability at European seaports is still in a crunch. Inland terminals in Europe are also still reporting equipment shortages.
TIPS:
• Book at least four weeks prior to ready date.
• Stay up to date with your forwarder and carrier with advisories on added capacities and declining rates for the trade lane.
• Strongly consider premium services for no-roll options and improved reliability of cargo.

EXPORT: North America to Asia

Recent Developments:

• Savannah’s congestion remains a lead contributor to operational woes at the Georgian port.
• Schedule reliability, or lack thereof, remains an anxiety for exporters. In particular, Oakland saw its volumes dwindle in September as a result.

Rates: So far, no GRIs announced for December.
Capacity: Capacity remains stable.
Equipment: Inland ports, notably Kansas City and Memphis, are reporting container and chassis deficits (the latter improving). Standard equipment at ports remains available unless advised otherwise.
TIPS:
• Book at least four weeks prior to the time of departure to secure necessary equipment and vessel space.