In today’s global supply chain, container shipping delays are increasingly common. Problems like labor shortages, extreme weather events, and geopolitical issues can cause freight delays of weeks or longer. Preventative measures to protect your cargo in the event of a longer-than-expected timeline are not just a good idea. They’re a must.
Read on to learn all about shipping container delays, including the most common shipping delay reasons, the lesser-known impacts of shipping delays, and methods to ensure your cargo arrives safely at its destination.
Container shipping delays happen for a wide range of reasons, many of which are out of shipper’s control. Weather, staffing, seasonality, and even geopolitics impact shipping times and lead to delays. Read on to learn the most common shipping delay reasons.
Like all industries, global shipping is impacted by significant seasonality. Late summer through early fall are peak shipping seasons as businesses around the world gear up for the holidays. Port congestion increases, shipping times lengthen, and shipping container delays become more common.
Labor shortages, disputes, and strikes lead to significant container shipping delays. In order for a shipping container to pass through a port, it must be unloaded, clear customs, and loaded onto its next method of transportation. This process relies on a roster of skilled personnel to run smoothly and efficiently. When workers are unavailable, delays skyrocket.
In some cases, shipping container delays are caused by shortages in shipping containers. When delays in one port tie up shipping containers, they cause global shortages that cause freight delays around the world.
Ocean freight delays are often caused by extreme weather events that make it impossible to navigate the seas. Cargo ships may be rerouted or wait in place until the weather improves. Ports also close during extreme weather to protect the safety of their workers. As weather patterns become more unpredictable, weather-related ocean freight delays become increasingly common.
Each shipment requires extensive documentation to clear customs. If paperwork is missing or incorrect, it may lead to secondary inspections and cause significant delays.
Wars, international security concerns, trade restrictions, export bans, and other geopolitical problems in nations around the globe can lead to container shipping delays. They cause disruptions to the supply chain that delay shipments, route disruptions that extend shipping times, and more.
The global shipping industry is a complex ecosystem that requires the coordination of countries around the globe. Disruptions in a single port quickly create a butterfly effect of freight delays in key ports and countries.
It’s easy to see this in action with the 2021 California port delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. A shortage of workers at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports caused a backlog of over 70 container ships carrying an estimated 200,000 shipping containers. Incoming shipments were diverted to other ports, extending their shipping times and increasing congestion at those ports, too.
Additionally, with so many containers tied up in Southern California, not enough were traveling back to Asia and other major distribution centers. This led to a global container shortage, further delaying shipments around the world.
Container shipping delays have greater impacts than increased wait times and disruptions to your business. They threaten the integrity of your cargo, risking damage and even total loss. Impacts of shipping container delays include:
Given the complexity of global shipping, shipping delays aren’t just possible, but inevitable. Be proactive about protecting your shipment with proper planning and the right tools.
This insurance protects you in the event that your goods are lost or damaged during shipment, whether from theft, accidents, or complications due to shipping delays. Depending on your cargo, an insurance policy with extended coverage may be worth your while.
Select a shipping partner that provides comprehensive visibility throughout the duration of your shipment’s journey, proactive communication, and a track record of reliability. In the event of a shipping delay, a good logistics partner will do everything possible to get your shipment back on track.
Becoming overly reliant on a single shipping route or carrier can make your business quite susceptible to shipping container delays. In response to the 2021 California port delays, business owners around the globe realized they needed to diversify their shipping routes. Instead, establish alternate routes and carriers that can be used in the event of a disruption to your primary.
The products you use to protect your cargo make a world of difference in the face of freight delays. Explore these solutions to common cargo needs:
For the best in shipping container protection, trust EPGNA. Our innovative protection solutions are designed to maintain the integrity of your shipment through delays, disruptions, and more. Work with our dedicated specialists for custom container solutions designed to meet the precise needs of your next shipment. Contact us today to get a quote.
Sandra Malouf is the President of Eurolog Packing Group and has spent her career focused on Industrial Packaging. With a proven track record of helping businesses avoid supply chain disruptions, Sandra’s visionary leadership elevates the industry. She’s committed to developing sustainable practices and continues to shape the future of industrial packaging by listening to the customer and offering unique solutions applicable to various industries across the world. The company’s main focus is temperature stabilization and moisture damage prevention in exports affected by extreme variations in global temperatures.
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