As ocean rates start to slump, carriers are pulling out the blank sailings trick to try and adjust the capacity available to match the decreasing demand. After the explosive profits around the pandemic, ocean carriers are laser-focused on preventing a collapse in rates, especially across trans-Pacific lanes. With ports across the country posting record numbers for the 2021 fiscal year, it’s no surprise carriers are looking to maintain the same profitability as the past year.
On top of the list of the top ten US ports, again, are the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the combination of which see 40% of all trans-Pacific cargo and, in the case of LA, 20% of all containerized ocean cargo arriving in the United States. In 2021 LA/LB moved over twenty million TEUs breaking records previously set before the pandemic.
Unsurprisingly, the Port of New York and New Jersey came in third place, with almost nine million TEUs in 2021, another record-setting port. Coming in fourth place, after seeing a 20% bump in traffic, is the Georgia Port of Savannah, with 5.6 million TEUs. Rounding out the top five takes us back to the west coast for the dual port system of Seattle and Tacoma with an almost 17% year-over-year increase of 3.7 million TEUs.
The Port of Virginia slides into sixth place after struggling a bit at the start of the pandemic, once being the only port on the eastern seaboard to see a slight reduction in their numbers. Still, 3.5 million TEUs through 2021 and a $1.5 billion infrastructure investment are proof positive the port is revving up to displace SeaTac and Savannah as soon as possible.
Nelson International is dedicated to bringing the most critical information to our readers, including how we can help you plan your ocean cargo to avoid delays and make the most efficient cargo choices available in these turbulent times. If you’d like to know how Nelson can help keep your cargo moving, contact your representative today. If you’d like to know the rest of the list, keep reading here.
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