Breaking

San Pedro Bay Ports Grapple With Extended Congestion As September Volume Hits Records

Record cargo volumes at San Pedro Bay Ports in September have extended peak season congestion, straining both rail and truck networks across Southern California. The Port of Long Beach's September volumes approached 1 million containers, an all-time high that pushed dwell times higher for ground transportation. Elevated diesel costs prompted shippers to route additional freight through the gateway, overwhelming inland transport capacity. The sustained congestion is expected to pressure trucking rates heading into the new bid season, with carriers positioned to demand double-digit increases. Meanwhile, intermodal volumes continue climbing as shippers seek alternatives to tight truck availability. The combination of record port volumes and capacity constraints suggests congestion will persist through the fourth quarter unless underlying demand moderates significantly.