Americas News
U.S. West Coast Seeing Recovery of Cargo Volumes
Cargo volumes at U.S. West Coast ports appear to be recovering after an eight-month long labour dispute which caused congestion at ports up and down the coast, JOC reports.
Volumes at the Los Angeles and Long Beach port complex were reportedly 6.8 percent higher in July 2015 year-over-year.
July volumes at the Port of Oakland also reportedly rose by 1 percent, while the ports of Seattle and Tacoma reportedly saw June volumes rise 7.5 percent year-over-year.
The labour negotiations, which began in July 2014 and lasted through to February 2015, led many shippers to experience severe delays, with some having chosen to permanently reroute to different ports of call.
According to reports, East Coast and Gulf Coast ports have experienced double-digit increases in container volumes, some which have been attributed to diverted cargo.
It is believed however, that recovery is on the horizon for the West Coast, especially as the industry enters peak season and shippers become more sensitive to the added cost of having to deliver shipments inland to destinations closer to the other side of the country.
West Coast ports are also expected to be watched closely during peak season, as union and employer are relationships are tested.
Earlier this year, West Coast ports had said that they expected to return to normal by the end of May, though some shippers were reportedly still experiencing difficulties beyond that date.
