More than 77 percent of U.S. ports saw their transportation slow down in response to the inbound shipments since the duration of the pandemic.
Longshore Union members understand supply chain issues and causes better than anyone,
and our membership goes back generations to port workers or their families.
Ports not keeping up with growing consumer demand
The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach saw record volumes in the first half of 2021,
handling 10 million containers, with the two ports handling 31% of all maritime consumer goods and merchandise entering the U.S. Despite the increased throughput,
the two ports were unable to keep up with growing consumer demand,
resulting in one day in November when more than 80 ships waited outside the ports to unload.
Increased online purchases drive consumer demand
This was caused by a manufacturing lockdown in China in early 2020 that forced shippers to halt their vessels for months.
The pandemic then led to increased consumer demand, with many consumers preferring to buy online.
By 2021, the limited number of ships and high demand led to increased transportation costs,
as shipping companies banded together to control 80% of container shipments.
