Retailers are imploring shoppers to get their Christmas orders in early as the nation grapples with historic congestion amid an unprecedented supply crisis.
And some shipping experts, including Mohawk Global Logistics executive Riche Roche, say the Los Angeles and Long Beach port plans to fine carriers for stranded empty containers at the dock could make things even worse.
‘As far as the ‘hyper-demurrage’ announced in Los Angeles/Long Beach, I think it will be catastrophic,’ Roche said during a National Shippers Advisory Council (NSAC) meeting Wednesday.
'Chassis are already in short supply and this will artificially suck out the rest of the containers that may be sitting in there that didn’t need to be on a chassis and now they’re going to be parked somewhere. It’s probably going to wipe out whatever’s left in terms of chassis,' he said, Freightwaves reported.++++
Meanwhile, Pottery Barn, Lands End, and L.L.Bean, are among some of the companies issuing shipping warnings to buyers, with less than two months to go before Christmas.
‘We’re facing some unique challenges this year,’ L.L.Bean said in a note to its customers posted online. ‘People have been getting outside in record numbers (and that’s great!), but high demand paired with extraordinary global events means we may not have some of the products you’re looking for right now.’
The warnings come as the LA and Long Beach ports – which move about 40 percent of shipped cargo entering the U.S. – struggle with an historic backlog that’s slowing the nation’s supply chain ahead of the holidays.
LL Bean, is among a number of companies issuing shipping warnings to buyers with less than two months to go before Christmas
Lands End said the global shipping shortage – combined with a deficit of workers and heightened demand - is delaying its products, too
Maine-based L.L.Bean said it’s working around the clock to get products to doorsteps.
The products are being stalled by an abundance of empty shipping containers that have been lingering at the ports for weeks, creating congestion and preventing new containers from being transported.
The Biden administration has come under fire for its 'too little, too late' response to the backlog after it announced West Coast shipping ports would be running around the clock to ease bottlenecks in the system.
The LA and Long Beach ports – which move about 40 percent of shipped cargo entering the U.S. – are struggling with an historic backlog that’s slowing the nation’s supply chain
Lands End is another company that says the global shipping shortage -combined with a deficit of workers and heightened demand - is delaying its products, too.
Hanna Andersson, the maker of organic pajamas for kids and adults, put out its own warning ahead of the holidays.
The company’s chief executive in an email that customers should order Christmas long johns by early November to avoid disappointment.
‘We urge you to order your holiday [pajamas] very early this year due to the continued Covid impact on our global supply chain—including factory and port closures, and major shipping and logistical challenges—that may cause delays in orders,’ Sally Pofcher said in the note.
Numerous items are already backordered into the new year because of the supply crisis.
Lego’s Heartlake City Hair Salon is backordered until January 7, while its Mars Research Shuttle set could be a close call with an estimated ship date of November 26.
Some items, including Lego's Heartlake City Hair Salon, are backordered into
