No end to US port congestion

The US continues to suffer from heavy congestion at its major retail ports, according to website Chain Storage. Traffic at these ports is expected to reach near-record levels this spring and summer as consumer demand and supply chain challenges continue to result in congestion, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker, released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“Congestion continues on both coasts, with ships queuing for berths at multiple ports,” Hackett Associates founder Ben Hackett was quoted as saying. “Problems remain with clearing import containers to their inland destinations while export containers are still being held back due to lack of space at the terminals.”

Until supply chain problems are resolved with more drivers, trucks and inland storage space, Hackett said he does not expect to see a rapid decline in the port congestion being experienced.