Los Angeles

Ships wait to unload at Port of Los Angeles as imports boom

LOS ANGELES — Through Reuters, PortandTerminal.com reported that Gene Seroka, executive director for POLA said incoming cargo to the Port of Los Angeles is surging as businesses restock depleted inventories and retailers prepare for an early holiday season.

Workers unloaded 471,795 20-foot equivalent units (TEU) of imports in September, 17% more than 2019, marking the second month of robust import gains at the No. 1 gateway for U.S. trade with China.

That trend has carried into October, said Seroka, where there are now 16 vessels docked and 10 at anchor with cargo waiting to be unloaded.

Seroka added that POLA continues to see the replenishment of warehouse and distribution center inventories along with retailers prepping for year-end holidays.

Amazon.com, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy are among the U.S. retailers launching holiday promotions before Halloween to lock in sales and ease residential delivery crunches as worries mount over fast-rising COVID-19 infections and potential unrest around next month’s Presidential election.

The trend is a turnaround from earlier this year, when pandemic related shutdowns – first in China and then in the United States – slowed ocean shipping traffic to a trickle.

But the jump in cargo – some of it unexpected – is beginning to cause backups that could ripple through U.S. supply chains.

Port workers are racing to process incoming containers and the arrival of 18 unscheduled ships in August and September made labor scheduling more complex.

COVID-19 safety measures like reduced staffing and physical distancing means it is taking longer to get containers out of the port.

“You don’t see as much staffing at each shift at our warehouses and distribution centers. It takes longer to process import cargo with those facilities,” Seroka said.

Reporters Desk

Recent Posts

Port of Long Beach CEO to Chart New Course at Year’s End

It was during his time on the Harbor Commission that he proposed the Green Port…

11 hours ago

Transforming Immigrant Affairs: Solis Champions a Creative Vision

Embedding this role is critical toward a more responsive, inclusive government that centers the lived…

12 hours ago

California Just Slashed Its Cannabis Tax to Save Its Dying Industry

California’s cannabis industry employs hundreds of thousands and generates millions in revenue, but sales and…

14 hours ago

Arts United San Pedro Awards $45,000 in Community Arts Grants to Fuel Local Creativity

Selected from a competitive pool of applicants, the funded proposals include visual arts, performances, public…

14 hours ago

Thoughts, Prayers, and the Moral Failure of Those Who Worship Hate

Thoughts and prayers that these traitors to democracy, the flag, and the true meaning of…

15 hours ago

Port of Los Angeles Issues Request for Proposal for Pre-development of Potential New Terminal

  LOS ANGELES — The Port of Los Angeles is seeking proposals from interested parties…

15 hours ago