How Supply Chain Disruptions Are Affecting Different Ports:
The nearby Port of Long Beach saw a 7.55 percent year-over-year decrease in December, handling 754,314 cargo versus 815,885 in 2020. The port moved about 15.7 percent more TEUs than the previous year, with 9,384,368 TEUs compared to 8,113,315 TEUs. Long Beach exceeded 9 million containers for the first time in 2021, and volume has more than doubled since 2003.
“In 2022, I’m looking forward to boosting productivity by accelerating our transition to 24/7 terminal operations, adopting data-sharing technology for our industry partners, and continuing infrastructure upgrades,” said Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach.
The Port of Oakland closed in 2021 with an 18.6% drop in December, handling 169,659 cargo compared to 208,339 the previous year. Last year, the port processed 2,448,243 containers, down from 2,461,262 the year before, a 0.5 percent decrease.
Although the port officials have claimed that the success of Southern California ports and soaring international shipping charges have greatly contributed to this decline. Despite the unloading delays in Los Angeles and Long Beach, it is still much more profitable for shipping companies to travel directly to their base locations in Asia and return to the US rather than making a stop at Oakland.
“We’re pleased that our import business has stayed strong,” said Bryan Brandes, Maritime Director of the Port of Oakland. “Right now, our focus is on resolving supply chain disruptions that have harmed our export customers.”
The combined ports of Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., increased by 12.5% year over year, handling 3,736,206 containers compared to 3,320,379 last year.
Port Houston had a successful month as well, processing 303,204 cargo, up 9.7% from the 276,443 in December 2020. Last year, the port processed 15% more containers than the year before, with a total of 3,453,226 compared to 3,001,164 in 2020.
Condition Of The Supply Chain Improvements At Port Of Los Angeles:
Supply chain improvements at the Port of Los Angeles are under threat as Rail issues, increased container dwell time and backlog of ships from China continues to be a major issue. But, despite this ongoing crisis, port authorities and union leaders believe that the situation is under control and a surge of cargo can be handled efficiently.
In March, cargo volumes were somewhat higher, with 958,674 TEUs passing through the docks. That’s up a smidgeon over last year, and the port concluded the first quarter with volumes up 3.5 percent year over year.
Following a solid March 2021, the increase in cargo was unexpected, according to Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka at his virtual monthly briefing. He attributed the increase in tonnage to enhanced dock fluidity and increased labor availability due to COVID-19 requiring fewer dockworkers.
The nation’s largest port, Los Angeles, processed a record 10.7 million 20-foot-equivalent containers by the end of the year. While official December figures aren’t yet available, port personnel are anticipated to have moved 800,000 containers. The volume for 2021 surpassed the previous calendar year’s record by 13%. For this Gene Seroka, credited and appreciated the work done by the longshoremen and other workers who worked day and night to unload hundreds of vessels.
Covid-19 And Its Effects On Supply Chain Improvement:
Many dock workers have lost their lives to the global pandemic of COVID-19. COVID restrictions and lockdowns all around the world have caused a reduction in the available workforce which has resulted in delayed clearance of cargo vessels, which has resulted in a worldwide cargo backlog.
Bargaining with the ILWU is underway ahead of the expiration of the union’s contract on July 1. In a pre-recorded, waterside interview, Willie Adams, ILWU International President, and Frank Ponce De Leon, ILWU Coast Committeeman, joined the port executive during the briefing. Indicated Gene Seroka.
More than 40 people have died from COVID-19 during the outbreak, according to both union leaders. They urged bystanders who were worried about the negotiations to stay out of it.
