Port of LA says It's Free of Congestion

Published Dec 16, 2005 12:01 AM by The Maritime Executive

The Port of Los Angeles intends to relieve port congestion that has paralyzed its system over the past few years by establishing regular night cargo operations and by using new technologies. Port officials state that the port system has not experienced any congestion this year. However, shipping lines are quick to point out that significant volumes have been diverted to other gateways during this year's peak season for fear of getting caught in the same congestion nightmare that occured last year. Southern California ports suffered gridlock in 2002 from protracted labor strife, and again last year when container ships were delayed for up to 10 days due to congestion. A labor shortage across the entire transportation chain was exacerbated by rigid union restrictions and limited hours of operation. Rail operators responded by pouring money into infrastructure and staff as did the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, hiring nearly 2,000 full-time dock workers. Port LA also implemented night operations in July this year, which resulted in 34 percent of the port's throughput this year. Shipping lines also pointed out that there were week-long inland delays in the over-strained highway and rail infrastructure in the United States. APL warned in a recent report: If supply chain-wide improvements are not made immediately, the system could be overwhelmed as early as 2008 as a result of an ongoing surge in China export volumes.