Container Congestion at LA Port Eases Amidst Strict 'Fine Imposition' Measures

As of Last Month, Number of Containers in the Air Down 29%

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The container backlog at the Port of LA, the largest logistics port in the United States, is reportedly easing gradually. Previously, delays in unloading operations due to labor shortages caused by COVID-19 led to a buildup of containers, prompting the U.S. government to take strong measures such as imposing fines, which appears to have been effective.

On the 16th (local time), Bloomberg News reported that as of last month, the number of import containers waiting at the Port of LA decreased by about 29% to 71,000.

Bloomberg News stated, "After U.S. authorities announced a daily fine of $100 per container for containers piling up at the port, the number of containers decreased," suggesting that the fine imposition had an impact.

At a press conference that day, Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of LA, said, "As the number of waiting containers has decreased, there is now more space to accept export volumes," adding, "There is still more work to be done."

The container backlog at the Port of LA, which has continued for several months, has also been identified as a factor disrupting the global supply chain. The bottleneck at the largest U.S. port has led to a chain reaction affecting countries worldwide.

Although the container backlog has somewhat eased, Bloomberg News pointed out that the problem has not been completely resolved.

According to the news agency, as of the previous day, 83 container ships were reportedly waiting off the coast of LA.

This is the highest number since July of last year.

Bloomberg News emphasized that handling about 65,000 empty containers occupying space at the Port of LA is an urgent task.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.