Port congestion is an area in which a commercial ship, whether carrying goods or passengers, is not able to berth at its desired port due to poor or congested port facilities. When a ship is stuck in this situation it is forced to dock at another port which may not necessarily be its most preferred destination. Due to the high volume of traffic into and out of the port, waiting times for barge traffic to clear can take up to an hour or more in some cases. This can cause significant delays on the part of shippers as well as customers who wish to receive their goods in time for shipment.
The causes of port congestion are varied, but usually result from the following circumstances. There can be too many ships at one port, causing backlogs of shipping traffic. There can be a reduction in the amount of storage spaces available at the port, resulting in a lack of space for storing materials and vehicles. There can be a failure to properly maintain the integrity of the physical terminal facility itself, or there can be a breakdown in communication between the trucking industry and the terminal management.
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