715.726.2300 HOME PRODUCTS PRODUCT LISTING A-Z PRODUCTS BY INDUSTRY INQUIRY ABOUT US CAREERS NEWS CONTACT Is Trucking Actually Getting Worse? Posted on September 7, 2021 - Industry News By this point in the year 2021, the bottlenecked and congested ports, backed up rail lines, and pinched trucking capacities are nothing new, and most of us have adapted and gotten used to longer lead times, delays, and skyrocketing costs. After emerging into the post-pandemic world, there was hope that these logistical nightmares would begin to ease as time went by, but it now looks likely these issues will persist well into 2022. And you might be wondering if it’s just your imagination, but is shipping actually getting worse? You’re not imagining it. The spread of the Delta variant has closed down ports across the world, including a partial closure of the world’s third busiest container port in China. Ongoing container shortages have made it increasingly difficult to book ocean freight from the far east, leading to product shortages on the U.S. side as inventories dry up before new containers come in. While port shutdowns only happen for a matter of days, the bottleneck can take months to recover from and the congestion spills over into neighboring ports. Many ports still report feeling the effects of the Suez Canal blockage from back in March. And now the scramble to restock low inventory is going to especially hurt as demand ramps up heading into the holiday season. If fact, shippers are currently reporting a record-breaking volume. Congestion on the seas has spilled over into ground and air transportation also as air freight reports increases due to companies searching for alternative ways to move their goods. The ripple effect from the slammed ports has led to road and rail running at maximum capacity all summer while dealing with a shortage of truck drivers and labor. And we have yet to hit October, which typically marks the peak of shipping season. Right now it would be wise to brace yourself and prepare for even longer delays and shortages for the remainder of 2021, and look toward the 2nd quarter of 2022 before any ease might come. Tags: Export, Import, logistics, ports, transportation, trucking Search for: Recent Posts Winter Considerations Amid a Supply-Chain Crisis Is Trucking Actually Getting Worse? ChemCeed to Exhibit at the 2021 Adhesives & Bonding Expo in Novi, MI Supply Chains Stretched – What is a Buyer to do? Eyes: Use Them, Don’t Lose Them Archives November 2021 September 2021 July 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 June 2020 April 2020 February 2020 January 2020 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 Categories Community Outreach Featured Industry News News Product News Uncategorized Home Products About Us Contact Careers Inquiry News A Guide to Our Chemical Products for Lubrication & Grease Manufacturing © 2021 Chemceed 1720 Prosperity Court Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 Website Design By Satellite Six