Panama Canal Authority extends water restrictions

FreightWaves
August 26, 2023
Lori Ann LaRocco

Based on current port data compiled by American Shipper, the East and Gulf Coast ports are strongly favored over West Coast ports. The Port of Los Angeles earlier this week announced a 26% drop in twenty-foot equivalent units processed year over year in July. Compared to June, there was a drop of 148,744 TEUs processed in July. The ports of Savannah, Georgia, and Houston both recorded increases over the same time frame. Port Houston was up 5% year over year with its July container processing.

Paul Brashier, vice president of drayage for ITS Logistics, told American Shipper that in recent years, 5%-10% of trans-Pacific freight volumes moved from the U.S. West Coast to the Gulf and East coasts and the situation in the Panama Canal could be problematic for holiday shipment volumes in 2023.

“To avert the situation, some shippers are rebooking to the U.S. West Coast and this activity will continue to increase as we go through the next couple of months,” Brashier said.

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