For shippers with air freight shipments, it is a good time fly the cargo. Fuel surcharges that varied from $ 1 to 1.15 per kilo have lessen for a few carriers down to $ 0.80 per kilo & up to $ 1.00 per kilo. Will this down trend persist? The industry will have to wait to see how low the oil price per barrel.
Nose load freighter allows for 20' pallet wheeling into the all freighter aircraft for large heavy cargo. If shippers need dimensions & verify freight cost, contact www.etcinternational.com or Sales@etcinternational.com or click the button below:
Ocean containers coming into the LA / Long Beach ports
Now, with congestion worsening at the nation’s busiest seaport complex and the Pacific Maritime Association’s suspending all ship-unloading night shifts, all eyes turn to the warring longshore workers union and their employers, the PMA, to quickly resolve a contract through federal mediation.
“The war of words between International Longshore and Warehouse Union and Pacific Maritime Association on port congestion continues to concern the supply chain community,” said Jonathan Gold, who as vice president of the National Retail Federation, represents those waiting for the cargo. “The two sides continue to strain the shipping community — importers and exporters — and threaten the very competitiveness of the West Coast ports.”
The Marine Exchange of Southern California reported Wednesday that 17 container ships were at anchor and awaiting berths in Los Angeles-Long Beach. Oakland reported that five container ships were at anchor, and Tacoma reported six at anchor.
Vessels are backing up at an alarming rate at West Coast ports due to congested marine terminals and work slowdowns by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. The Marine Exchange of Southern California reported Wednesday that 17 container ships were at anchor and awaiting berths in Los Angeles-Long Beach. Oakland reported that five container ships were at anchor, and Tacoma reported six at anchor.
The ILWU blames the gridlock and backlog of vessels at anchor on two issues -- pre-existing port congestion since last summer and a decision by employers late last year to suspend all night shifts at Seattle, Tacoma and Oakland, and to suspend vessel unloading (but not yard and gate operations) on the night shifts in Los Angeles-Long Beach. The PMA said that since terminals in Southern California are operating at 95 to 97 percent of capacity, employers decided to suspend vessel unloading on the night shifts in order to clear out some of the container backlog in the yards to make room for containers to be discharged on the next morning when vessel unloading resumed.
Perspective of a freight forwarder
At ETC International Freight System, we offer the shippers shipping alternative, which is not always possible for small shippers. Many smaller shippers with occasional ocean containers for export do not know anything or very little about the port congestion. We hear shippers that think there is a strike at the West Coast ports. Then we have to explain all over again: " The West Coast ports have always been open & there has not been any strike. At some points, the port experienced work slowdowns. As a consequence, the port is subject to congestion. Although shipments are sailing, the industry sees delays with retrieving the containers & truck chassis. This is why, I stressed that an early booking gets you the equipment earlier than shippers delaying their booking to the last minutes. "
Still, shippers with one to 20 containers with routing via the West Coasts would not find it beneficial to re-route via the Gulf or the East Coasts as the inland cost would make their shipments too costly for the buyers. These shippers really have no other choice but booking through the LA / Long Beach ports & be subjected to long delays. As a California freight forwarder, we share the daily information with our shippers & welcome the conversation to learn more click below:
