Supply chain whack-a-mole: West Coast eases, East Coast worsens

The good news on U.S. port congestion: The number of container ships waiting for berths in Los Angeles/Long Beach has continued to decline, falling to 66 on Wednesday — as low as it was back in mid-September.

The bad news: Other indicators point to ongoing challenges for West Coast ports and a potential resurgence in queue numbers in March, April and May. Meanwhile, the number of ships waiting offshore of East and Gulf Coast ports is hitting new highs, and sailing schedules show that these ports will also see imports surge over the coming months.

Gains in Southern California are being offset elsewhere. The queue of waiting ships off Los Angeles/Long Beach has shortened, but the queue including all ports countrywide has not.