Cargo Congestion on West Coast

From our friends at A. N. Derringer

Cargo Congestion on West Coast
of US & Canada

Cargo congestion prevails among US and Canadian West Coast ports. Shippers concerned with US West Coast labor negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and their management have increased cargo throughput to US ports, as well as rerouted freight to Canadian ports. A chassis shortage and labor unrest among striking truckers at the ports of LA and Long Beach have also increased congestion.


The congestion has pushed freight to the Canadian ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert causing increased dwell times for inland destined cargo and pushing rail capacity. CN Rail has advised they are giving priority to customers with cargo traffic regularly routed through Canadian ports, meeting its service obligations to year-round customers first.