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

• Vancouver: 29 Vessels at Anchor (-1)
• Savannah: 26 Vessels at Anchor (-1)
• Houston: 20 Vessels at Anchor (+12)
• San Francisco/Oakland: 5 Vessels at Anchor (-2)
• Los Angeles/Long Beach: 6 Vessels at Anchor (+2)
• Mobile: 8 Vessels at Anchor (+2)
• New York/Newark: 3 Vessels at Anchor (+1)
• Charleston: 1 Vessels at Anchor (-1)

Note: Count taken on November 29, 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: It was recently announced that the SoCal sister ports Los Angeles and Long Beach have “zero” vessels waiting off its coast.

While Marine Traffic reports six vessels (as of November 29) at anchor, insiders say these ships are in queue “by choice”. For a closer look at this development, please click here. 

• U.S. Gulf Coast: Gulf Coast ports got a boost in import and export volumes in October. 

Port Houston has POSTPONED its sustained dwell fee, due to delays from the port’s external software developer. The fee was originally scheduled for Dec. 1st. The port will give customers a 30-day notice before the fee gets implemented again. 

Houston, which saw 12 vessels added week-over-week to its count, observed a 13 percent increase in container volume. The port’s chairman says there hasn’t been any signs of “softening” demand at Houston. 

Please refer to our articles section below for more details. 

• U.S. East Coast: Savannah keeps its spot as the black sheep of the EC. The Georgian port continues treading in the high twenties. On the other hand, its EC peers, like New York and Charleston, are enjoying minimal backlogs.

• Canada: Vancouver has slipped under 30 vessels for its first time in several weeks. However, berthing delays continue to plague Canada’s premier gateway. 

IMPORT: Asia to North America (TPEB)

Recent Developments:

• 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 considerable at most ports, including inland hubs. 

• Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Houston remain at the forefront for dwell times – hovering around 12-15 days. However, these times have improved the last few weeks.

Rates: Near pre-pandemic rate levels continue steadily falling. Speculation remains on when or if we will hit a post-pandemic floor with ocean freight and what rates will settle as.
Space: Space is open.
Capacity: Capacity remains generally open for transpacific trade. Carriers are struggling to match capacities with plummeting demand.
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 an issue.
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 continue at Britain’s largest port, Felixstowe, as its dockworkers and port employers remain without a new labor deal.

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: Rates are expected to fall in December due to less demand. Many carriers have cut back on their Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) fees. 
Space: Space to both U.S. coasts have opened up from introductions of more vessels in October and November.
Capacity: Capacity has improved, but not to the extent that was expected through November.
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.

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.