Los Angeles/Long Beach congestion eases

The growth is expected to continue over the next ten years as the port follows through on plans designed to secure future volumes. These include the purchase of 119 acres on the eastern end of the Port Jersey peninsula for the potential redevelopment of new cargo container space, the development of an ExpressRail on-dock rail system to be ready by 2011, and the port’s $2bn, 10-year Capital Plan, which includes significant funds to upgrade the on and off-port road network.

Currently there are approximately 60 vessels in port per day, with an average turnaround of six days per vessel. In mid-October vessel turn-around averaged over seven days with more than 90 ships in port per day.

The decrease in congestion is attributed to a combination of factors including traffic diverted to other ports, an increase in available labour, and the winding down of the peak shipping season. In addition, railroads serving the ports have expanded their fleets and hired thousands of new workers.