UPDATE: U.S. and Canada Ports – Number of Cargo Vessels at Anchor 

• Vancouver: 30 Vessels at Anchor (-7)
• Savannah: 11 Vessels at Anchor (-9)
• Houston: 19 Vessels at Anchor (-11)
• San Francisco/Oakland: 8 Vessels at Anchor (-1)
• Los Angeles/Long Beach: 8 Vessels at Anchor (+2)
• Mobile: 4 Vessels at Anchor (-1)
• New York/Newark: 2 Vessels at Anchor (-4)
• Charleston: 1 Vessels at Anchor (-1)

Note: Count taken on December 13, 2022. This count does not include vessels moored and being unloaded at port docks. Colored numbers in parentheses represents the change from last week over. Data is courtesy of MarineTraffic’s live vessel traffic map.

Have another U.S. or Canadian port you’d like us to track weekly? Let us know!

Takeaways

• U.S. West Coast: What’s new? WC ports remain minimally congested. It’s just now that the Gulf and East coasts are catching up.

• U.S. Gulf Coast: Last week, Houston had 30 vessels queued off its shore–a byproduct of the port’s boost in export and import volume in October. This week, we saw 11 of those vessels eliminated from its backing as Houston steadily processes its welcomed surge of volumes the past few weeks.

• U.S. East Coast: The week-over-week change for EC ports is green like American money. Savannah reaps tremendous progress in removing a fair chunk from its long-held pileup.

• Canada: We can continue to blame Vancouver’s outstanding issue of berthing delays for its endless sway of congestion.

IMPORT: Asia to North America (TPEB)

Recent Developments:

• West Coast contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) remain active. The existing labor contract between the two parties expired July 1.

• Rail congestion is considerable at most ports, including inland hubs.

Rates: Spot rates are flirting at pre-pandemic levels thanks to waning demand. Transpacific service contracts of some shippers have been renegotiated to adjust with these market changes and deter shippers from opting for more favorable spot rates.
Space: Space is open.
Capacity: Capacity is very much open for transpacific trade. Carriers are struggling to match capacities with plummeting demand. Carrier’s overcapacity has spurred on blank sailings. More blank sailings are expected in 2023.
Equipment: Lower volumes have brought relief to equipment deficits. Chassis supply looks to rebound in the new year.
TIPS:
• Book at least two weeks prior to the ready date.
• For cargo ready now, take advantage of open space and softened rates on the spot market.
• Blank sailings will continue being in play for the foreseeable future.

IMPORT: Europe to North America (TAWB)

Recent Developments:

• UPDATE: A new labor contract has finally been reached between dockworkers and port employers at Britain’s largest port, Felixstowe. The deal is great news for U.K. trade as the port’s operations have been tormented with highly publicized strikes throughout the last few months.

• An easing market for this trade has afforded U.S. ports an opportunity to improve on their congestion and wait times.

Rates: Rates have fallen in December thanks to lower demand and carriers adjusting typical PSS fees. We believe this trend will hold over into the new year.
Space: Space to both U.S. coasts have opened up as American port congestion overall eases.
Capacity: Larger vessels have entered the market, including Evergreen’s Tampa Triumph (14,000 TEU capacity), boosting the trade lane’s capacity.
Equipment: The seemingly endless equipment crunch at European ports and inland hubs has improved in pockets.
TIPS:
• Book at least four weeks prior to ready date.
• Strongly consider premium services for no-roll options and improved reliability of cargo.

EXPORT: North America to Asia

Rates: Rates are stable. They have not been as susceptible to plummeting in this marker like its inbound counterpart (Asia to North America).
Capacity: Capacity remains stable. While blank sailings won’t be as common as they are on inbound lanes, please stay informed on the potential for them to still occur.
Equipment: Chassis and container deficits still exist at inland hubs, like Kansas City and Memphis, but buy in large, most dry and coastal ports have balanced out their equipment availability.
TIPS:
• Book at least three weeks prior to the time of departure.
• Stay in close communication with your provider and carrier to secure necessary equipment.