USA - delays and surcharges as pressures increase

Significant labor shortage (especially drivers), increased freight volumes into ports, reduced rail operations and lack of equipment (chassis) in key terminals and hubs (see related news here: Chicago – Supply Chain Disruption Ahead).

The driver shortage across the country has seen pay increase by an estimated 20% in the last year, inevitably resulting in significant price rises being introduced by carriers, truckers and logistics providers. Pay, and therefore connected rates are expected to increase further in the future. The market for trucking is now very much a spot rate market with truckers advising that rates will remain fluid and subject to change at any time. We are seeing suggested increases of 200% for motor moves and in excess of $1000 per container emergency surcharges being implemented by carriers for moves by rail/motor.

Any quotation provided will be based on pricing provided at the time. It will be subject to availability and may change at time of shipment.

In addition, we continue to see delays with time taken to source chassis and trucks or to obtain appointments to return containers back to the terminals. As a result, additional time and costs for container rent, storage, demurrage and chassis fees are likely.

Ocean and Air services to/from the US continue to suffer from a strain on capacity, particularly on Trans-Pacific lanes, with some ocean carriers now not taking bookings until further notice to clear the backlog at ocean and rail terminals.

We will continue to do all we can to minimise the impact on our customers and partners.

For more information or to contact our expert teams to discuss how to minimise the impact on you and your clients, please reach out to us here.

For more supply chain insight, read up on recent articles here:

Supply chain impact - Then to now to 2022

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