How are both ports handling record volume without congestion?
The combination of cargo diversification across more West Coast and Gulf entry points, plus operational improvements at both terminals, has kept vessel queuing from reaching levels seen in past peak cycles even as overall import volume climbs on tariff-driven frontloading. This marks a contrast with earlier 2026 reporting that flagged rail loading and drayage as the binding constraint once vessel-side congestion eased — vessel-side metrics now look favorable across the board.
| Metric | Current Level | Context |
|---|---|---|
| LA median vessel wait time | 0.08 days | Near-zero |
| Long Beach truck turn time | ~55 minutes | No active dwell fees reported |
| LA May TEU volume | 840,165 | +17% YoY |
- Both ports report gates remaining open and cargo moving without the queuing seen during past peak-volume cycles.
- This vessel-side improvement does not necessarily extend to downstream rail and drayage capacity, which has separately been flagged as constrained.
- Sustained low congestion alongside record volume suggests current throughput, not vessel-side bottlenecks, will be the more relevant constraint if import demand continues climbing into peak season.
Does this mean the supply chain is fully clear?
Not necessarily — vessel congestion easing at the berth doesn't guarantee the same is true further inland. Rail ramp dwell and drayage capacity (driver and chassis availability) have been reported as tight independent of vessel-side conditions, meaning a smooth port call doesn't guarantee a smooth onward move to your warehouse.
What Shippers Should Do
- Don't assume low vessel congestion means your full supply chain is clear — check rail and drayage conditions separately before finalizing inland transit estimates.
- If you've been routing around LA/Long Beach due to past congestion concerns, the current data suggests vessel-side conditions no longer justify that diversion on their own.
- Continue monitoring whether record volume growth eventually strains current throughput levels, even though current wait times are favorable.
- Use real-time port congestion tracking rather than assuming past delays still apply, given how quickly conditions have shifted this cycle.