West Coast ports are experiencing elevated container volumes, leading to rail congestion and extended dwell times. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach report dwell times ranging from four to eight days—well above the ideal two to four days—while Oakland remains steady. Closer to home, Northwest Seaport Alliance (Seattle/Tacoma) is also feeling the strain, with an average rail dwell time of four days.
To combat delays, rail operators like BNSF and Union Pacific are expanding capacity and collaborating with drayage providers to manage the backlog. Shippers are exploring alternative strategies, including cross-docking and air freight, to keep supply chains moving. Some are diverting cargo to East Coast ports or utilizing Canadian and Mexican routes. With trucking capacity still robust, many opt for transloading to domestic containers as a flexible solution.
Experts predict relief may come by Q1 2025, but ongoing labor disputes add uncertainty. For now, shippers must remain agile, leveraging diverse transport options to avoid costly disruptions.
