Empty containers seriously congested at US West Coast ports when congestion is at a record level

CAx data reveals 60% increase in the inbound outbound ratio at the ports of US West Coast, surpassing the pre-covid levels, indicating that there is excessive stress on the ports.

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Empty containers are severely congested at the Port of Los Angles (Image: Joc)

This index for the Port of Los Angeles is 0.88 and 0.90 for 20-foot and 40-foot containers, respectively, while a value of 0.5 is considered balanced. This is the highest level of the container index at the port in the past 3 years.

“Our CAx (container availability index) data reveals 60% increase in the inbound outbound ratio at the ports of US West Coast, surpassing the pre-covid levels, indicating that there is excessive stress on the ports, and therefore indicating further congestion is expected in the coming months as we approach the holiday season in the later part of the year, ” said Dr. Johannes Schlingmeier, Co-Founder and CEO , Container xChange.

With more than 40 container vessels lined up in San Pedro Bay waiting to enter the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, there is an imbalance in the number of empty containers – between where it is needed in Asia but it is currently available on the US West Coast. - could only get worse. Meanwhile for US importers, that means more delays.

Christian Roeloffs, Co-Founder and CEO, Container xChange, said: “It also indicates that in the coming months, which are the most crucial months for the industry, there will be higher demurrage and detention charges, higher spot rates and surcharges and intermodal delays before it finally settles."

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