It is learned that according to the latest supply chain heat map released by CNBC, the global supply chain congestion problem still exists, and the congestion is most serious in North America.

CNBC’s Supply Chain Heat Map is a new data tool created by CNBC in collaboration with 10 of the world’s top shipping and logistics data providers that shows in real time the challenges currently facing global supply chains.

The West Coast is experiencing the "Century Jam"

The Port of Oakland in the United States topped the list for congestion, with ships taking six days to unload and load, and import containers lingering at the port for almost 11 days before being loaded or unloaded, according to data from MarineTraffic and BlumeGlobal.

The Port of Los Angeles had the second-highest wait times, with containers taking nearly 12 days to leave the port and vessels taking 5.5 days to unload and load, and rail delays of 6.2 days also plaguing port productivity.

"Containers are now waiting at least six days to get on a train, three times longer than before the pandemic," said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles.

Gene Seroka noted that rail traffic has increased sixfold since February. We need more rail assets at the nation’s busiest ports. All stakeholders must redouble their efforts to maximize the movement of rail cargo out of our terminals and into domestic markets.”

BNSF and Union Pacific serve the Port of Los Angeles. BNSF has been embroiled in labor disputes for months, with strikes and resignations exacerbating the port's labor shortage. According to Greg Regan, chairman of the AFL-CIO's transportation industry division, about a thousand workers have resigned since February.

Congestion spreads to the East Coast

Continued congestion on the West Coast has increased trade cargo flowing to East Coast and Gulf ports, a trend that the Port of New York and New Jersey has benefited greatly from.

“Asian manufacturers are shipping goods in advance to prevent port congestion. These goods are more likely to be shipped to ports on the East Coast of the United States, exacerbating the risk of congestion at East Coast ports,” said Pervinder Johar, CEO of Blume Global.

According to Johar, while cargo flows at ports across the country are improving for now, this is likely to be temporary.

For example, the port congestion index at Savannah on the East Coast of the United States is currently green, but is expected to turn yellow or even red soon. The number of ships waiting near the port is increasing, indicating that demand is moving eastward.

In the week of May 9, Savanna Port had an average of two container ships waiting to load, equivalent to 20,000 containers. In the week of May 16, there were an average of 13 container ships waiting to load, equivalent to more than 100,000 containers.

Johar said that considering the sharp increase in waiting containers this week, it is estimated that the waiting time at Savanna port will increase by 100% to an average of 3 days or more.

Editor✎ Ashley/

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