The average amount of time cargo dwelled at the Los Angeles and Long Beach seaports before leaving by rail rose last month, according to data released Oct. 24 by the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association.
Rail-destined cargo lingered at L.A. and Long Beach terminals an average of 6.54 days in September, up significantly from the 4.45-day average recorded in August.
Meanwhile, truck-bound cargo in September stayed an average of three days, a small uptick from the 2.89-day average in August, but still within the normal range of dwell time, PMSA said.
“A factor contributing to the average dwell time for local and rail-bound containers is the proportion of containers that dwell for five or more days,” PMSA said in a statement, adding that 7.3% of local cargo and 50.5% of rail-bound cargo lingered for more than five days.
“In September, there has been an increase in rail cargo dwell time while the truck cargo dwell time has remained steady from month-to-month,” PMSA Vice President Michele Grubbs said. “As we approach the holiday season, our terminal operators remain committed to ensure the efficient goods flow of container traffic through our marine terminals.”