Frequent Strikes Paralyze Ports: U.S. Port Drayage Enters a New Era of Efficiency

Historic Strikes Bring Major U.S. and Canadian Ports to a Standstill

In October 2024, the U.S. witnessed its largest dockworker strike in nearly 50 years, with 45,000 workers shutting down 36 ports along the East and South Coasts. By early November, Canada’s West Coast ports—including Vancouver (the nation’s largest container port) and Prince Rupert (third-largest)—were also idled due to labor strikes.

Strike Fallout: U.S. Ports Buried Under Cargo Backlogs

Geographic proximity made U.S. West Coast ports—particularly Seattle and Tacoma—the default alternatives for diverted Canadian cargo. With strikes crippling Vancouver and Prince Rupert, these American hubs faced a dual burden: handling their own strike-induced backlog plus overflow shipments from Canada, leading to severe congestion. The ripple effects soon spread to other U.S. ports.

Though both strikes have ended, the supply chain disruptions persist. The logistics chain’s interconnected nature means delays won’t vanish overnight. Currently, U.S. ports remain gridlocked, with mountains of stranded cargo and ships anchored offshore awaiting berths.

Crisis Multiplies Challenges for Cross-Border Sellers

For e-commerce merchants, the strikes spell trouble on multiple fronts:

⒈ Prolonged Delays & Lost Shipments

•  Port congestion slashes available vessel capacity, extending transit times.

•  With Black Friday shipments in limbo, missed deliveries could devastate customer satisfaction and seller reputations.

⒉ Soaring Logistics Costs

•  Ocean freight disruptions force costly workarounds (e.g., air/land transport).

•  Detention fees, demurrage charges, and extra warehousing/insurance costs further inflate expenses.

High-Efficiency Drayage: The Solution to Port Congestion

Port drayage—the critical link between maritime and inland transport—can mitigate these bottlenecks. Optimized drayage ensures swift, secure cargo movement from docks to warehouses, making it indispensable amid U.S. port chaos.

Shengshi Group’s Competitive Edge:

•  Dedicated Fleet: A self-operated trucking network tailored to diverse cargo needs.

•  Smart Tracking: Real-time GPS monitoring and advanced safety systems guarantee on-time, damage-free deliveries.

•  AI-Driven Coordination: Dynamic route optimization reduces empty miles, cuts transit times, and boosts efficiency.

•  Flexible Options: Customizable services across budget tiers, ensuring adaptability to congestion or demand spikes.

No matter the port conditions, Shengshi Logistics empowers cross-border sellers to navigate global supply chains with confidence—turning crises into opportunities.