Why Are Container/Cargo Ships Lined Up off Los Angeles/Long Beach?

[777 Driver]

I came across this video on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzkPgMsSkQY

Sal Mercogliano , an instructor in Maritime Industry Policy for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy - discusses the Top 5 Reasons for the massive backup of shipping of container ships off the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as a result of maritime issues.

Kind of an interesting look at what's going on in the shipping industry and the consequences resulting in supply shortages.

Take care,
Stu

P.S. Yeah, I know...38 minutes long.

[Old-Biscuit]

Lack of qualified Workers....crane operators, loaders, truck drivers

And that didn't take 38 minutes

[777 Driver]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Lack of qualified Workers....crane operators, loaders, truck drivers

And that didn't take 38 minutes

No doubt, that's part of the problem. Are you suggesting that's the only reason?

Take care,
Stu

[redbaron73]

Union regulations prevent 24x7 port operations, modernized computer systems, and automated dispatching.

That's just a few more reasons.

[777 Driver]

• Sulphur 2020
• The Shipping Act of 1984/The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 resulting in de-regulation
• Introduction of Triple-E Class container ships carrying 18,000 containers
• Limited infrastructure partially due to consolidation shipping routes to ports capable of servicing the ULCS
• And, yes, shortages of longshoremen and truck/rail transport

There's quite a bit more to the problem than just a lack of qualified workers.

Take care,
Stu

[CRV2]

Originally Posted by 777 Driver

I came across this video on YouTube:

Sal Mercogliano , an instructor in Maritime Industry Policy for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy - discusses the Top 5 Reasons for the massive backup of shipping of container ships off the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as a result of maritime issues.

Kind of an interesting look at what's going on in the shipping industry and the consequences resulting in supply shortages.

Take care,
Stu

P.S. Yeah, I know...38 minutes long.

Thanks Stu, I still don't have confidence that I am understanding the problem, any quick bullet points you can share may help and I did watch the entire video. It is not that I didn't understand what I heard (and I have heard much of the same from other sources) but it still doesn't all add up to me.


The claim is 5 things primarily as I understand. 1) Lack of truck drivers 2) lack of dock workers 3) lack of shipping vessels 4) lack of items to ship 5) and of course most often I hear it is not any one thing but all these things.

So, are the shipyard docks slowed down because of a lack of truck drivers and rail availability? It doesn't seem that is the case as the reports are that the ships simply are not getting unloaded due to a lack of shipyard dock hands. However a quick search on a few job search websites doesn't indicate any hiring initiatives for any of the shipping yards for dock hands, crane operators, or truck drivers. If the issue is as also claimed, that the countries where most goods are manufactured are not able to produce goods at the same rate than they used to and there is a supply shortage, if so then why would there even be a need for more ships, dock workers, and truck drivers? I would think that if there is a lot less manufacturing overseas (which I suspect is true) then it seems to me that there would be less ships needed and less dock workers and less truck drivers needed as well, not more of them.

In any case, I am not comfortable with what I am being told, something else seems to be going on in my opinion. Time will tell. Thanks for sharing. ~CA

[Glenn and Kathy]

Saw a video of the LA dock area the other day. They had containers stacked all over the place and were unable to get them hauled out due to lack of trucks and drivers according to that report.

Glenn

[GypsyR]

There was an interview with a driver the other day who said he was having issues getting unloaded at warehouses. He was down from being able to move (and get paid for) an average of eight containers a day two years ago to two or three now. The docks only have so much real estate, if they can't get containers moved out, they can't bring more in.
As has already been pointed out, there are quite a few factors at work there. This just being one more.

[propchef]

Originally Posted by redbaron73

Union regulations prevent 24x7 port operations, modernized computer systems, and automated dispatching.

That's just a few more reasons.

The ports are now operating 24/7

Now if we could just find truck drivers.

[wildtoad]

From what I heard today (have not validated), California passed regulation that truckers had to be employees versus independent contractors. Lots of truckers own their own rigs and are independent. Not allowed to work the ports.

[RangerZ]

Originally Posted by wildtoad

From what I heard today (have not validated), California passed regulation that truckers had to be employees versus independent contractors. Lots of truckers own their own rigs and are independent. Not allowed to work the ports.

This true. You won’t see it in the news. Cali has a law called AB5 that prevents owner operators from working the ports. Also they have a law that says all trucks working the ports have to be 2011 or newer model

[KenZ71]

Seems political...

We need a business person in their running the show.

[propchef]

Don't put all of the blame on CA. Oakland sits nearly idle as LA is hopelessly backlogged. The decision to use which port is in the hands of the shipping companies.

https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/vi...ips-to-unload/