Increased import volume has the side effect of increased port congestion in the U.S.
Container import volumes in 2022 are higher than ever, setting records month by month. The good news is that the demand for goods and logistics services are increasing. The downside is that, if there is a port congestion issue while China is enforcing Covid-19 restrictions, this only means that there will be a major ocean supply chain problem when this country determines to loosen up its spread-preventing measurements, and unfreezes its operations. This brings to light ports and vessels’ flaws and their incapacity to adapt and respond to demand, challenging global supply chain performance. In search for lower waiting times, there has been a re-routing of shipments to smaller ports that offer less congestion. These ports are smartly improving their operations, as they see themselves becoming a strategic option for many vessels. To have more insight on how inflation, fuel costs, labor issues, Covid-19, and the peak season are affecting this matter, please access