In order to better inform you of the operational situation within USA and Canada, we would like to inform you that our Region North America - Operations & Customer Service Advisory notices are now posted directly to the website in the Offices and Local Information > North America > USA section. In particular, you can find them at the bottom of the Local Information page.
Those items where status has changed from the previous report are identified by an asterisk (*)
With the large number of congested ports and ships awaiting berths, please understand that the dates for arrivals / departures and cut-offs are constantly changing. Please check our Online Business section regularly for updates on this information.
Terminal Operations:
LAX/LGB Terminal Update:
There are currently 14 ships (-8) at anchor awaiting berths in LAX/LGB as of Friday, June 4th. All terminals are extremely congested due to the spike in import volumes and basis current projections the congestion is expected to last until through the summer.
Changes of destination (COD's) and container "dig outs" are restricted due to lack terminal space and customers are urged to continue to expedite the pickup of their import containers and inform any COD requests at least four working days before the start of vessel operations. The demand for available labor while improving, still affects all terminal operations, turnaround time for truckers, inter terminal transfers, the number of daily appointments available for gate transactions and delays in vessels operations.
Due to terminal congestion, there are still vessels switching terminal assignments. This must be kept in mind if doing OOG and overweight bookings that are supposed to be going on dock but end up in the wrong terminal or the UP off dock terminal. Hapag-Lloyd is currently shut out at most terminals facing extremely limited single empty return options and restricted mainly to dual transactions. Local trucking delays have been considerably reduced and are expected to continue improving in the upcoming month.
The LAX/LGB rail operations from all terminals continue to deteriorate due lack of rail capacity and railcars from the UP rail. This is affecting all on/off dock intermodal. Skilled Labor Training ongoing in LA/LB resulting in steady improvements in availability.
Oakland Terminal Update:
Currently there are 29 ships (+9) at anchor or drifting in the San Francisco Bay area as of June 4th. The three new shore cranes and berth are fully operational now at OICT.
Massive import volumes combined with labor shortages are the biggest drivers of continued congestion and vessel operations delays. While exports and empty inventory have eased recently, congestion focuses on the import surge over the last month. On terminal imports are averaging up to 50% over previous months. Alternative gate hours continue to have low trucker participation. Vessels will be delayed in order to decrease terminal dwell, make room for incoming imports and keep terminals fluid as possible. Yard rehandling and restows on vessels due to change of rotation and additional empty lift out of LAX/LGB is creating further delays. All berths remain occupied.
New York Terminal Update
Berth situation is tight but no extensive delays are expected. Terminal yard utilization continues at manageable levels with import dwell trending lower. Empty stock levels have declined. Terminal gate turn times are currently holding at an acceptable service level. There were no known cases of COVID amongst ILA in the last week.
Savannah Terminal Update
Currently 4 ships (-3) at anchor as of June 4th. Delays up to two days for berthing wide beam vessels. Volumes continue to be steady with high levels of import containers on terminal. New empty stack in yard is helping with over 800 containers being handled by a top lift.
Canadian Terminal and Rail Delays Update
Terminals: Vancouver, Prince Rupert
High yard utilization at all terminals in Vancouver as a result of increased import volumes. Expected to last well into Q3. Vessel productivity and yard productivity has improved significantly. Berth delays continue in VAN, however these delays have been reduced to 2 to 4 days. PRR yard productivity and berth availability has improved significantly. No delay to vessel berthing.
Rail: Railcar availability remains high and terminals are producing close to daily target.
Terminals: Montreal
All terminals are reporting strong productivity. There are no delays to ship schedules; however, yard utilization remains high.
Dwell time at the Port Terminals:
Halifax – 3.0 Days*
Montreal – 1.4 Days*
Vancouver – 2.2 Days
Prince Rupert – 8.9 Days
Dwell time at the Rail Terminals:
Montreal – 2.8 Days*
Vancouver – 3.0 Days*
Intermodal Operations:
Capacity limitation in certain markets due to import volume spikes and severe drivers’ shortage. Please find main markets, and estimate lead-time to secure capacity below (Note: Lead time refers to timeframe to secure truck power, it is not dwell time):
Market / Average 12-days+:
Markets / Average 7-days+:
Markets / Average 4-days +:
Chassis Pools:
With the recent unprecedented Import volumes, there is currently a historically high demand for chassis throughout the USA. This demand has shown to be persistent on 40ft chassis and intermittent on 20ft chassis. In order to minimize any negative impact on supply chains, customers are asked to take immediate steps to reduce container and chassis off terminal dwell time. This includes all inland terminals as well as port terminals. Without a significant reduction in the dwell times, truckers may face serious challenges and delays in securing good order chassis as long as this surge in imports continues.
Railway Operations:
Please Note: Current average dwell times for Hapag-Lloyd boxes at several terminals / ramps. Includes, MH, rail and truck moves.