According to Container News, the San Pedro Bay ports, encompassing the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, reported their highest levels of the year in both truck and rail-bound container dwell times. According to the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA), which represents marine terminal operators and ocean carriers along the US West Coast, the surge in cargo volumes in September has significantly increased the pressure on terminal operations.
Record-High Dwell Times Reflect Rising Logistics Demands
In September, the average dwell time for truck-bound containers reached 3.21 days, matching peak season levels recorded in October 2023. Rail-destined cargo faced even greater delays, with dwell times soaring to 9.25 days — nearly double the June 2024 levels and well above the 6.54-day peak of September 2023. These figures underscore the heightened demand for intermodal cargo handling at the nation’s busiest ports.
Managing Complexity Through Supply Chain Adaptability
Natasha Villa, External Affairs Manager at PMSA, emphasized the growing challenges posed by evolving dwell times. “The divergence in truck and rail dwell times points to shifting trends in how discretionary cargo is distributed across the logistics network. While local cargo flows remain steady, inland intermodal volumes have surged.”
Villa highlighted the efforts of marine terminals to maintain capacity and fluidity, ensuring resilience within the logistics system. She added, “Our terminals are committed to balancing operations and keeping the nation’s goods moving efficiently, even amid increasing complexities.”
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Source: Container News
