COVID-19 Update in the USA
Entering into 2022, Stockwell International Inc have received information on the current Covid-19 climate in the United States.
2022 has begun with a reported 250% increase of reported Covid-19 cases in the USA in comparison to 2021. In 2021 the USA had a reported 2.4 million cases from Jan 1 through Jan 8 vs the dame 8 days in 2022 which say the USA have a ‘reported’ 6 million cases.
As a result of these increased case numbers, the logistics industry has continued to feel the pressure of staff shortages across the country. This has caused delays and backlogs for all shipments.
In Southern California, a backlog of vessels seems to be improving although the impact of the Covid-19 variant Omicron at the terminals which is causing an average time at berth of 8-day which is predicted to continue to get worse.
Stockwell’s will endeavour to continue to keep you informed about the changing environment in the USA.
For further information, contact [email protected] or contact 1300 786 468
USA Network Update
Stockwell International Inc has received information regarding the Oakland, CA port call will be put on hold on the North America West Coast to West Coast Central America (WCCA4) service.
The last sailing for booking acceptance is as follows:
- Southbound – “Sealand Guayaquil” V206S ETD Oakland, CA February 18,2022
Please note: The above dates are subject to change as operational constraints in Oakland remain which is impacting schedule reliability.
USA LCL Export & Import Service Delays
Stockwell International Inc has received information regarding the current operational situation occurring in the US.
Some warehouses are behind in their daily operations due to Covid related labor shortage. In addition, weather conditions in some areas of the country have delayed operations.
Terminals Updates:
Due to increased volume and labor shortage, most terminals are experiencing congestion issues, including Los Angeles/Long Beach, Savannah, Charleston, Miami, Houston, Seattle.
Each month, high cargo volumes continue to enter the U.S., with all North American ports facing berth congestion.
U.S. East Coast:
New York/New Jersey: Vessel wait time up to 3 days due to high import volume, one crane down at APM Terminal, and weather issues.
Philadelphia: Vessel wait time up to 2 days due to certain high import volume, weather issues and labor shortage due to Covid.
Savannah: Vessel wait time is two days due to off proforma vessels and high import volume, plus weather events and labor shortages. Carriers are advancing cut-offs with little to no notice, impacting operations.
Charleston: Vessel wait time up to 5 days due to labor shortage, high import volume, and weather events.
Port Everglades and Miami: Vessel wait time is 1-3 days due to high import volume causing a CFS Backlog. Equipment shortages are resulting in pick-up delays. Allocation and blank sailings are affecting the services out of MIA.
U.S. West Coast:
Long Beach: Vessel waiting time is up to 45 days due to high import dwell and labor shortages. TTI Terminal yard utilization is at 90% capacity.
Los Angeles: Vessel waiting time is up to 28 days due to yard congestion, high import dwell, and labor shortages. APM yard has 84% of the capacity used.
Seattle: 10-day vessel wait time due to high import volume and labor shortages. Container terminals are more congested, and many containers are stored for weeks in a closed area until truckers can pick them up. T18 terminal yard is being used at 110% of capacity. All operations are delayed about a month, and transit times are much longer than in previous weeks.
Oakland: up to 6-day vessel wait time due to high import volume, labor shortages, and one berth down.
U.S. Gulf Coast:
Houston: Waiting time is 2-6 days due to high import volume, labor shortages, and port congestion.
Rail Terminal Updates:
BNSF & UP/LAX/LGB: There is severe congestion. Limited gate capacity, restrictions, rail car shortages, and limited reservations continue, causing increased delays on import rail units. There is limited allocation at this time. In Los Angeles, containers wait an average of almost 16 days before being picked up.
Chicago Rail Ramp: The rail facilities in Chicago are experiencing severe congestion due to dwelling containers and chassis shortages. G3 and G4 locations only allow ten open spots daily, causing a large backlog for containers to be picked up for imports. There are gate restrictions and lane suspensions, causing extended delays in pick-ups and deliveries. The rails continue to monitor in-gates with allocation or reservations.
NY/NJ: Chassis shortage includes rail ramps due to the high increase in import volume.
Philadelphia: Severe chassis shortages in the Philadelphia area. Extended delays in pick-ups, deliveries, and drayage.
Charleston: Lack of chassis causing extended delays in pick-ups, deliveries, and drayage over to rail facilities.
Savannah: Continued congestion and delays at the local ramps. Shortage of chassis and equipment continues to affect operations.
Jacksonville and Miami: Congestion issues at both rails. The FEC rail closure two weeks ago delayed operations, causing elevated traffic volumes and increased terminal dwell time. The shortage of equipment in Florida has carriers struggling to keep the service due to a slower turnover of import containers coming into the area. Most loads have been delayed an average of one to two weeks.
Seattle: Congestion due to increased dwell for Import rail cargo. Up to 10 days delay for cargo going to Chicago. Most truckers are booked 2 weeks or more in advance with limited trucker capacity.
Houston/Dallas: There is a severe chassis shortage and ongoing congestion in the area. Finding truckers has become a challenge as they are booked for 2-3 weeks in advance.
Chassis issues are challenging in all regions in the U.S. This is due to the division of the intermodal system, the severity of the Covid 19 pandemic, and the lack of additional capacity at different levels of the supply chain.
Equipment Availability:
There are continuous chassis shortages in Los Angeles/Long Beach, New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Columbus, Cleveland, Chicago, Memphis, Atlanta, Nashville, and Louisville.
Equipment availability remains an issue at Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Detroit, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Memphis, Nashville, Omaha, St. Louis, South Florida, and Seattle
Stockwell’s will endeavour to keep you updated with all the current information available to us. For any further questions please contact [email protected]
NEWS: Rise in Cargo Theft Driven By Conditions at Congested US Ports
Source | DCN Daily Cargo News
Written By | Paula Wallace
DATA from freight insurance specialist TT Club and the supply chain services and solutions team at BSI, shows that storage facilities in the United States were targeted in 45% of reported cases of cargo theft in the third quarter; up from 20% of recorded cases in the same quarter in 2020.
These locations include traditional warehouses and depots where containers and trailers are being held awaiting collection, many of which are temporary facilities in port areas without adequate security regimes.
The data also showed a fall in hijacking and robbery of vehicles from 67% to just 25% this year coincidental with the rise in the theft of cargo units in unsecured storage areas.
Congestion throughout the supply chain but particularly in and around ports is a significant contributory factor to this diversification of theft types, according to TT Club.
As the diagrammatic comparisons below show, the largest rise in the methods and locations for cargo theft was from facilities: the percentage of the total increasing to 25% in the third quarter this year in contrast with just 7% in 2020. At the other extreme theft of vehicles fell from a dominant 47% in 2020 to a surprisingly low 15%; in addition, hijackings halved from 20% to 10%.
Mike Yarwood, TT Club’s managing director, loss prevention said, “The is little doubt that the problems of supply chain disruption that are currently bedevilling the US freight transport system, particularly that of container congestion at ports and inland hubs, is creating increased opportunities for thieves.”
“The static nature of cargo in these circumstances, often stored in temporary and less secure facilities, leads to criminal ingenuity adapting the modus operandi of theft in a typically resourceful way.”
2022 Chinese New Year Reminder
In the lead up to the Chinese New Year, Stockwell International Inc would like to help you start thinking about production and freight forwarding planning. During the Chinese New Year, factories can close for up to four to five weeks, so it is important to our team that we support you and your business by helping you prepare in the best way.
Our top tips are:
- Be prepared and speak with your suppliers to confirm their shutdown dates, including before and after the Chinese New Year.
- Schedule your orders in advance or develop and forecast your orders well in advance of this period to avoid delays and disappointment.
- Keep quality at the forefront! Ensure you are working with your suppliers and quality control team in advance to reduce the risk of delays and increased costs due to quality issues.
- Secure your bookings with your freight forwarders by speaking to your suppliers about booking in early. We strongly recommend booking in now to secure space to meet your requirements.
Stockwell International Inc are dedicated to ensuring the most seamless experience during this period and wish to prepare you as much as possible. If you have any further questions about the Chinese New Year or any other enquiries, please contact our helpful staff at [email protected] or calling 1300 786 468.
