Puget Sound Ports Navigate Growing Cargo Ship Backlog

SEATTLE — Puget Sound's waterways are becoming increasingly congested with large cargo ships, as the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma contend with the ripple effects of a bottleneck in supply chains around the globe.

Port officials and the U.S. Coast Guard raised the alarm last month, warning that suitable overflow anchorages were already running full across the region, including those well off the beaten path. In a news conference this week, the Northwest Seaport Alliance said approximately 15 container ships were anchored in Puget Sound and waiting for a chance to unload.

As KING 5 reports, the problem is multi-layered, with warehouses stretched to capacity, soaring freight surcharges, and a shortage of trucks available to help get cargo out of port.

Puget Sound ports are not alone in facing the problem on the West Coast. On Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced the Port of Los Angeles would begin to operate around the clock, seven days a week to free up more space for shipments heading into the holiday months.

In Washington, The Seattle Times reports shipping terminals have begun to add extra night shifts around Seattle and Tacoma, and the Northwest Seaport Alliance is working to extend hours across the board. According to KOMO News, Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman warned things were likely to get worse before they improve, but ports are working with trucking partners and major retailers to implement solutions to get shipments offloaded and onto shelves.