New York is now the nation’s busiest port for US-bound trade, knocking LA/LB out of the top spot for the second consecutive month, moving 35% more cargo than pre-pandemic.
Specifically, the port is receiving upwards of 8.9 million TEU, numbers that weren’t expected until 2026-2027. While NY has only been number one for two months, it’s been seeing atypical volumes for two years.
This is directly and indirectly tied to the pandemic e-commerce boom. Directly, because the port is seeing more electronics, housing, and recreation imports as people are building more home offices, taking on more DIY projects, and as they are working from home, have more time for recreation. Indirectly, as congestion on the west coast from the e-commerce explosion caused shippers to look for other options to diversify their import strategies and make them more resilient.
Analysts say other contributing factors to this shift include fears of a west coast longshoremen strike, aggravated by the possibility of a national rail strike.
However, Rick Cotton, Executive Director for the Port of New York and New Jersey says, “There are no indications that this level of cargo, compared to what it has been in the past, is going to be reduced. The big picture is we expect the record levels of cargo to continue.”
Although some of the transition from the west coast brought some of the same congestion challenges, it also brought new opportunities. From the South Carolina Ports Authority private chassis pool to the NY/NJ port expansion, these numbers are leading to innovation and revitalization.
With these unprecedented levels of cargo, and uncertainty on the horizon with labor, it’s important to have a logistics partner who is steps ahead with a finger on the pulse of the supply chain and contingency plans ready to keep your goods moving.
Alba Wheels Up has invested in our people, locations, technology and relationships with carriers, ports and terminal operators to ensure that when our customers make decisions for their supply chains based on optimal points of embarkation / debarkation, we’re ready with the necessary solutions.
How Alba Can Help
At Alba Wheels Up, we work with ports of entry, Centers for Excellence and Expertise and an alphabet soup of agencies with jurisdiction across a wide variety of commodities. We have internal subject matter experts focused on food, e-Commerce, fashion, apparel and more, remaining focused and bringing the latest news to plan and make smart commercial decisions. To learn more about how Alba can help your company, contact us today.
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