Panicky shippers, fearing labour strife, cause west coast congestion

    SPOOKED shippers, fearing west coast labour trouble, are moving cargo early, prompting Germany's Hapag Lloyd to warn of mounting congestion at ports in the US and Canada because of "significantly increased import volumes".

　　At Los Angeles and Long Beach, increased cargo volumes starting in June resulted in major terminal congestion and delays," said the Hapag Lloyd statement.

　　"Currently rail cargo is still impacted with delays and increased dwell times. We expect this situation to further deteriorate with continuous surge of import volumes," said a company statement.

　　"In Vancouver, an increase in volumes diverted away from the US west coast, coupled with limited allocation in rail cars to US corridors has resulted in significant congestion and increased dwell times," said Hapag-Lloyd.

　　"Cargo going to US locations should expect heavy delays or diversions to alternative ports," the company warned.

　　In Seattle and Tacoma, Hapag-Lloyd said it continues to monitor the situation. "Should they become impacted, we will inform you," said the statement, adding that a shortage of trucking continues to contribute to delays.