Blogs, News
FEBRUARY 15, 2021 | VOLUME 36
West Coast congestion update
We continue to prioritize these announcements because they are so impactful for ourcustomers in the US and around the world. Last week, the US Coast Guard flew over San PedroBay and captured amazing footage of these ships at anchor awaiting their turn to unload. Somehave been waiting for a week or more for a berth.
The situation is challenging for everyone, especially as we look across most of the USA today atthe severe winter weather from coast to coast. It is our goal to continue to be transparent onthe conditions while working closely with our truckers, warehouses and offices around theglobe to keep delivering solutions.
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Lunar New Year closures
Please see the above closure schedule for our offices in Hong Kong, China and Vietnam as theylocally celebrate the Year of the Ox. Should you need to reach any of these offices, pleasecontact your ECX representative and we have emergency contact details for managers in our offices in all three countries.
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Positive EU & US trade news from the USTR
The Boeing / Airbus dispute continued to escalate during the previous administration.Thankfully, the US Trade Representative has decided not to move forward with additionalproposed action and the EU hopes to reach some kind of agreement with the newadministration in the first six months of this year.
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European road freight COVID challenges
Some European member states are requiring negative COVID tests for hauliers to prevent thespread of the more virulent strains of COVID-19. Fears are for border checks like we saw a little over a year ago at the start of the pandemic. To date, there are just a handful of countries imposing them.
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Winter storm impacting large parts of the US
Many states are currently feeling the impacts of a major winter storm that is dumping upwardsof 12″ (30 cm) of snow through the Plains and Midwest while ice storms have shut highwaysand left millions without power in Texas. This is impacting air, trucking and railroad operationsat many major inland ports and cities.
WINTER STORM URI HAMMERING SUPPLY CHAINS
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Retail imports forecast to continue torrid pace through 2021
The Global Port Tracker commissioned monthly by the National Retail Federation is indicating that the record imports in 2020 show no signs of abating, especially considering the more thanhalf a million TEU’s at anchor in San Pedro Bay yet to be unloaded.
