North America - Operational Updates

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 22 ships (+3) at anchor awaiting berths in LAX/LGB as of Friday July 16th. All terminals are extremely congested with high utilization due to the spike in import volumes and 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 import COD requests at least four working days before the start of vessel operations.
Hapag-Lloyd is currently facing limited single empty return options and restricted mainly to dual transactions. Local trucking delays have been reduced and are expected to continue improving. The LAX/LGB rail operations from all terminals continues to deteriorate due lack of rail capacity and railcars from both rail providers. This is affecting all on/off dock intermodal moves

Oakland Terminal Update:

Currently there are 13 ships (-5) at anchor or drifting in the San Francisco Bay area as of July 16th. The Port of Oakland continues to move its cargo volume numbers toward record territory. At the same time, more cargo presents enormous operating challenges for marine terminals and ocean carriers at Oakland. The port saw a 26% increase in June vs. May 2021. Current berthing delays are at 6-8 days, however the port is expecting this to ease by the fall as more dockworkers are hired and trained in the coming weeks.
Export receiving windows are shrinking from 4 to 3 days in some cases to assist with volume on terminal. Alternative night gate hours continue to have low trucker participation. All berths remain occupied.

New York Terminal Update:

Berth utilization continues to be high at all terminals, and vessel arrival delays are running at 1 - 2 days.
Labor’s summer vacations are having an adverse effect on yard turn times and productivity throughout the port. Due to the impact of strong import volumes, and an ever increasing surplus of empty containers, terminal yard utilization is pushing maximum capacity limits.

Gate turn times continue to be over acceptable service levels at most terminals.
Some terminals are offering Saturday gates to facilitate increased import deliveries and try to help ease gate and yard congestion.

Savannah Terminal Update:

Currently 16 ships (+8) at anchor as of July 16th. Dredging of berths halted Saturday July 10th and will pick up again Mid-August. Space is being squeezed on terminal to make space for more import loads. Over 77,000 import loads on terminal. Rail / Gate and Empties running fluid.

Seattle Terminal Update*:

T-18 is operating at full capacity. There are currently 5 vessels at anchor awaiting berth as of July 16th. Berthing delays are up to 8 days at this time due to heavy volumes. Vessel omissions and change of rotation are expected due to the delays.

T-18 is not accepting empty containers until vessels sail making room for additional inventories. Additional space has been provided to hold empty containers at T-5 allowing some additional empty returns. Chassis counts remain low due to the surge in imports.

Canadian Terminal and Rail Delays Update:

Terminals: Vancouver, Prince Rupert

There are presently 6 ships at anchor at Vancouver with delays expected to last 5-7 days.

Rail: Ongoing wild fires in British Columbia continue to impact rail operations to and from Vancouver. The CP Rail mainline is once again open, however operating under various restrictions. CN has also begun to move a limited number of trains through the region, while respecting regional restrictions put forth by the authorities. Rail operations at GCT are working at 50% capacity as a result of delayed trains and shortage of available footage.

Terminals: Montreal

All terminals are experiencing a shortage of labor, resulting in delays to ship schedules. This is expect to continue throughout the summer months.

Rail dwell on terminal remains stable and is current at 4.2 days.

Terminals: Halifax and Saint John*

• Halifax, CAN – Average 3.5 days port
• Saint John, CAN – Average 1.3 days port

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 at the following link on our website. (Note: Lead time refers to timeframe to secure truck power, it is not dwell time):

https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/services-information/operational-updates/north-america.html

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.

• Minneapolis (USMES) – Deficit on 40’ chassis.
• Chicago (USCHI) – Deficit on 40’ chassis.
• Louisville (USLUI) – Deficit on 20’ and 40’ chassis.
• Houston (USHOU) – Deficit on 40’ chassis.
• Detroit (USDET) – Deficit on 40’ chassis.
• Indianapolis (USIND) – Deficit on 40’ chassis
• St. Louis (USSTL) – Constrained on 40’ chassis.
• New York (USNYC) – Deficit on 40’ chassis.
• Seattle (USSEA) – Constrained on 20’ and deficit on 40’ chassis.
• Tacoma (USTIW) – Deficit on 40’ chassis.
• Los Angeles / Long Beach (USLAX/USLGB) – Deficit on 20’ and 40’ chassis.

Railway Operations:

Please Note: Current average dwell times for Hapag-Lloyd boxes at several terminals / ramps. Includes, MH, rail and truck moves.

• New York, NY - Average 7.5 days*
• MMR rail New York – Average 1.8 days*
• Long Beach, CA – Average 7.7 days*
  
• Los Angeles, CA – Average 9.3 days*
  
• Charleston, SC – Average 8.3 days*
• Savannah, GA – Average 6.9 days
  
• Norfolk, VA – Average 6.1 days*
  
• Kansas City, MO – Average 10.6 days*
  
• Chicago, IL - Average 9.7 days*
• Memphis, TN – Average 8.0 days
  
• Detroit, MI – Average 8.3 days*
• Dallas, TX – Average 3.9 days*
• Houston, TX – Average 6.7 days