Container Dwell Time improves for cargo leaving by truck, but rises for rail departures

February 2022

Contact: Natasha Villa

nvilla@pmsaship.com

Container dwell time at the San Pedro ports improved for local cargo, set to leave the port by truck, in February while rising for cargo departing on rail.

“This is important information that tells us how efficiently cargo is moving through our ports. Containers not picked up in a timely manner accumulate and contribute to congestion at the terminals, affecting the speed our dockworkers can unload incoming vessels,” explained Jessica Alvarenga, Manager of Government Affairs at the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association.

There was some progress in February with containers leaving on trucks. On average, containers slated to leave by truck remained on terminals for 5.8 days, down from 6.9 days the month before.

For cargo leaving on rail, containers stayed on terminals an average of 5.2 days, up from 3.5 days the month before. This is the second the consecutive month dwell time for cargo departing on rail increased.

“Marine terminal operators continue moving record cargo volumes through San Pedro terminals despite various challenges affecting the supply chain,” noted Alvarenga.