Los Angeles-Long Beach Terminals Overwhelmed

The U.S. is experiencing shipping delays resulting from a shortage of skilled dock workers, and record-setting levels of imports, which have overwhelmed Los Angeles-Long Beach terminals. This affects the products of all companies' imports, including our shutters.

A recent article published December 9th by Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor at the Journal of Commerce details the factors contributing to this unprecedented backlog of containers from Asia, and its affects at the terminals.

Citing remarks by Ed DeNike, president of SSA Containers, at a recent virtual conference sponsored by the Agriculture Transport Coalition, he describes the yards as congested, with thousands of containers unable to be delivered at this time. Some ships are delayed up to six days at the port. Ships from carriers not contracted with the terminals, which are typically welcomed for the additional revenue, are now being turned away.

The situation at the ports does not seem to be improving soon without relief for the labor shortage. As the high volume of imports is expected to increase from 2020 to 2021, we ask for your continued patience. Our factory maintains its efficient pace, and our containers continue to leave as scheduled, and sometimes earlier. While this is not good news, it is good information, and we hope it will help with planning and coordinating with homeowners.

Import Deluge Fills LA-LB Terminals to Capacity [Journal of Commerce, Dec. 9, 2020]