Port congestion presents human capital problem beyond driver dwell times
Current congestion at the Port of Los Angeles is unprecedented, with an all-time monthly record of 980,729 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) set in October. The Wall Street Journal reported China exports were up 22% in November, with a 46% increase in shipments to the U.S. Congestion is hitting East Coast ports, too. October’s container volumes at the Port of Savannah reached a record high of 464,095 TEUs.
To ease congestion, Port of LA has implemented a free Return Signal platform, providing visibility to truckers as to when and where they can return empty containers, in hopes of creating more drop-and-hook scenarios. But Brian Kempisty, CEO of Port X Logistics, doesn’t see this as a viable short-term solution, especially when the unions resist automation.