Watch: Why Port Congestion Happens
Port congestion develops when the volume of ships, containers, trucks or rail movements exceeds what a port’s terminals and inland transportation network can process efficiently.
Video Transcript
“Why does port congestion happen?
This 30-second guide explains how congestion develops when more ships, containers, trucks or rail movements reach a port than its terminals and inland network can process.
Vessel bunching, high cargo volumes, labor shortages, equipment failures, severe weather, inspection backlogs and disrupted schedules can create bottlenecks.
Cargo may then wait for a berth, crane, yard space, truck appointment or rail departure.
Port congestion is not limited to ships waiting offshore.
A port can have minimal vessel queues while containers experience high terminal dwell or inland transportation delays.
Congestion can disrupt later port calls, transshipment connections and final delivery.
It may also increase exposure to storage, demurrage and other delay-related charges, depending on applicable free time and service terms.”
Port Congestion Developments
View the latest port congestion report for current conditions affecting major ports and shipping routes.
