The Weekly Current

Port-to-rail delays are creating challenges for U.S. inland transportation networks, with reported dwell times reaching approximately 11 days in Savannah, seven days in Los Angeles/Long Beach, and five days in New York. These delays are extending transit times and complicating delivery schedules as shipments move from ports to inland destinations. Shippers are encouraged to secure bookings early and remain flexible with their transportation plans to minimize potential disruptions.

Ocean carriers operating on Asian trade routes continue to face delays as congestion stemming from August typhoons in China spreads to other major ports, including Singapore. Although vessel queues at Shanghai and Ningbo began easing in late September, congestion could persist through year-end, with major carriers recording their highest average delays in 12 months, raising concerns about schedule reliability. Following China’s Golden Week holiday, carriers are maintaining relatively high October capacity to clear backlogs as shipping activity rebounds. However, planned capacity reductions and ongoing disruptions could complicate recovery efforts, while Asia-to-U.S. freight rates remain significantly higher than a year ago.