UPDATE: U.S./Canada Ports – Number of Vessels at Anchor as of 10-18-22 

• Savannah: 32 Vessels at Anchor (+1)
• Vancouver: 30 Vessels at Anchor (+3)
• Houston: 17 Vessels at Anchor (-11)
• Los Angeles/Long Beach: 14 Vessels at Anchor (+7)
• New York/Newark: 11 Vessels at Anchor (+1)
• San Francisco/Oakland: 10 Vessels at Anchor (-1)
• Mobile: 7 Vessels at Anchor (-10)

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. Data is courtesy of MarineTraffic live vessel traffic map.

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

Takeaways

The total waiting vessel queue at North American ports is fewer than 100—similar to the level observed in June.

• U.S. West Coast: Consistent with little change has been the mantra the last few weeks for WC ports. However, Los Angeles and Long Beach observed a week-over-week spike of seven vessels to their backlog. Quick jumps like this are not uncommon though. Do not expect this trend to hold.
• U.S. Gulf Coast: Houston has enjoyed a generous drop from last week. Will Gulf’s largest port settle into the upper teens going forward? We will have to see. Meanwhile, Mobile has been one of the more fascinating developments. The Alabama port is trading off each week with either an erratic jump or fall to its vessel backlog.
• U.S. East Coast: Savannah remains at the forefront of vessel congestion. However, its port authority believes falling import volumes will bring this number down. New York and Newark as stayed in the low teens, and even single digits, for the past few weeks. With shipper demand low, it is likely that this number will either settle as it is or continue to fall.
• Canada: Vancouver has been subject to vessel berthing delays keeping its congestion count high, however the port has seen gradual improvements to its operations that hopefully will sustain and bring down this number.

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.
• Los Angeles and Long Beach remains impacted on the rail side of things. Dwell times are around 15 days. However, incremental improvements to congestion at some inland hubs are promising signs going forward.

Rates: Rates continue to fall. Notably from Chinese base ports to all U.S. coasts.
Space: Space is open.
Capacity: Lower demand has led to carriers reducing their capacities. However, capacity is generally open for transpacific eastbound trade. 
Equipment: Chassis availability is increasing. Inland rail ramps remain congested, however BNSF Railway has lowered container backlogs at St. Louis and Fort Worth which has freed up flows of inbound imports (notably from Los Angeles and Long Beach).
TIPS:

• Book at least two weeks prior to the ready date.
• For cargo ready now, take advantage of open space and fallen rates on the spot market.
• Blank sailings have been more common. Keep this in mind as it affects schedule integrity.

IMPORT: Europe to North America (TAWB)

Recent Developments:

• Northern European hubs, such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg, remain congested.
• Labor-related tensions remain gripping Great Britain’s ports as dockworker unions seek a new pay deal that will match with inflation rates.
  • For both the port strikes at Felixstowe and Liverpool, the dockworkers have warned the ports respectively that further walkouts could occur should a deal not be reached.
  • Workers at both ports have engaged in two respective walkouts over the last couple of months. No deal or tentative agreement have been reached.

Rates: Rates have seen some decreases. However, not at the same clip as other trade lanes. When more capacity is introduced, expect rates to trend downward. 
Space: Space remains tight to the USEC. However, space has opened for direct routings to the USWC.
Capacity: Capacity is increasing as carriers are adding larger vessels to USEC loops in October.
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, chassis availability has increased.
TIPS:

• Book five or more weeks prior to ready date.
• Stay up to date with your forwarder and carrier advisories on added capacities and declining rates for the transatlantic westbound lane.
• Strongly consider premium services for no-roll options and improved reliability of cargo.

EXPORT: North America to Asia

Recent Developments:

• For the U.S., port congestion remains an issue for Savannah and Houston. 
• 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: Inland ports still are reporting container and chassis deficits (the latter improving). Standard equipment at ports remains available unless advised otherwise.
TIPS:

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