The number of container ships parked in the waters off the coast of Los Angeles is expected to rise heading into fall. The Daily Breeze reported that 90 percent of boats arriving in Sept. are "heading straight to the parking lot," according to Executive Director Gene Seroka.
The Breeze reported that anchor and terminal dwell times were up 75 percent in July, with wait times outside harbor averaging five days. That's still under the peak wait time of eight days reached in March 2021, but Seroka warned that present delays are likely to increase.
In a press conference on Aug. 17, Seroka said that cargo flowing into the Port of L.A. was up nearly four percent in July 2021 over July 2020. Total cargo for the end of the year is projected to be record breaking.
Seroka said uncertainty and protracted wait times at the port are in part due to a surge in Delta variant COVID-19 cases in both the U.S. and China, where the majority of the goods shipped through L.A. originate. A recent spike in COVID-19 cases led to the partial shutdown of Ningbo-Zoushan, one of central China's busiest container ports, last Wednesday.
Central China is considered to be a major choke point in global shipping.
"There are a lot of variables at play across our trading geography right now, we're keeping a close watch on central China," Seroka said.
Alongside unpredictable shutdowns and delays, Seroka said the supply chain is presently under special stress due to consumer buying being "in full force."
"Warehouses are overflowing, rail yards and carriage are maxed out," Seroka explained. "Ships are coming in and waiting to get worked on and factories are behind in orders, even though our output is at record levels."
With the holiday shopping season on the horizon, and more backups anticipated on both sides of the Pacific, shoppers might be well-advised to get a head start on gift buying this year.