This article has been directly taken from here. All credit given.
Ships stranded outside the southern Californian ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach soared to 22 over the weekend as the gridlock worsened.
This is the highest number since the Marine Exchange of Southern California began monitoring congestion in the area last October.
Of the ships at anchor on Sunday because of lack of berth space, 16 were containerships with a total combined capacity of more than 100,000 teu.
The largest was the 10,000 teu CSCL Summer, while other vessels in the anchorages included the 9400 teu CMA CGM Rigoletto, 8500 teu Hanjin Long Beach, and 8500 teu Xin Fei Zhou.
The CSCL Summer can hold up to 10036 twenty foot containers. Image credit: Rolf H.
Whilst it’s name might remind you of pasta, the CMA CGM Rigoletto is a workhorse holding 9415 twenty foot containers. Image credit
The total was three fewer than on Saturday, but that was offset by the arrival of another three bulk carriers, bringing the tally to five, along with a general cargoship.
The Marine Exchange was forced to open some temporary anchorages last week as the number of ships waiting outside the two San Pedro bay ports continued to grow,
Neither is there any sign of relief.
Another 16 ships were due to arrive yesterday (Monday), of which nine were due to anchor, including six containerships.
Today should see a further 14 arrivals, followed by seven more on Wednesday.
The two ports have been hit by a combination of factors that have brought near gridlock to the harbour.
There are currently 79 vessels in port, of which 52 are berthed and 27 anchored.
The worsening delays come as word is awaited from employers and union leaders who have been in negotiations on a new contract for US west coast longshore workers since last May.
Please visit Lloyd’s List at http://www.lloydslist.com/sector/containers/article456411.ece for the original article.
