December 18th, 2025 – U.S. container ports are seeing stronger cooperation from supply chain partners, including ocean carriers, when it comes to sharing shipment information ahead of arrival. Port leaders say this progress is helping avoid a repeat of the severe congestion that followed the pandemic-driven cargo surge of 2021–22. Still, they caution that even more coordination will be required to manage the next major volume spike when it occurs.
Port executives from the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA), the Port of Long Beach, the South Carolina Ports Authority, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey agree that data sharing has improved, but challenges remain. One of the biggest obstacles is that many supply chain participants still view their operational data as proprietary, which limits how much information is shared across the system. Port leaders stress that improving efficiency requires a broader, end-to-end view of the supply chain rather than isolated decision-making.
Looking back, port officials say the widespread congestion seen in 2021–22—including vessel backlogs, overcrowded terminals, chassis shortages, rail delays, and full warehouses—was largely the result of poor communication between supply chain partners. Without advanced visibility into cargo flows, each link in the chain reacted independently, creating bottlenecks that took months to unwind. Greater transparency and earlier information sharing are now seen as critical tools to prevent those same issues from resurfacing.
Capacity utilization remains a key performance measure
One of the clearest warning signs during the last congestion crisis was how close major ports were operating to full capacity. Utilization rates reached 90% to 95% at several gateways, leaving no room to absorb unexpected surges. Industry benchmarks suggest that congestion typically begins once utilization exceeds about 85%, as buffers disappear and delays quickly compound.
Today, capacity levels are far more manageable. The Northwest Seaport Alliance is operating at roughly 55% to 60% utilization, Long Beach at about 54%, Charleston near 50%, and New York–New Jersey around 65%. Port officials say this breathing room has been a major factor in keeping cargo moving smoothly.
Another key improvement has been better warehouse flow. Unlike in 2021–22, when distribution centers were packed to capacity, warehouses are now turning seasonal inventory more efficiently. This allows incoming cargo to move inland as planned rather than being stored in unsuitable locations such as rail yards, truck yards, or marine terminals—conditions that previously worsened congestion and slowed recovery.
Infrastructure investments support long-term fluidity
Ports have also spent the past several years investing in infrastructure designed to handle volume swings more effectively. In Seattle and Tacoma, near-dock container yards are being developed to provide temporary storage when needed. The addition of a second berth at the T-5 terminal, ongoing terminal densification projects, and rail improvements to support longer and faster-moving trains are all aimed at improving overall throughput.
Charleston has significantly expanded capacity through its Wando Terminal densification project, which has doubled the terminal’s annual capacity. The Hugh Leatherman Terminal expansion will further add berth and throughput capacity, while a near-dock rail project is expected to support up to one million rail moves once completed.
At the Port of Long Beach, the port authority is playing a more active role in supporting operations, even while remaining a landlord port. Facilities such as Pier S are being used for temporary container storage, while the long-term Pier B rail project is being developed to support longer intermodal trains moving cargo deeper into the US interior.
In New York and New Jersey, where no additional waterfront land is available, terminals are increasing capacity through densification rather than expansion. Port officials say this approach is essential to meet future demand while maintaining reliability.
While current conditions are far more stable than they were during the pandemic surge, port leaders agree that sustained data sharing, coordinated planning, and continued infrastructure investment will be critical to keeping the supply chain resilient when the next cargo wave arrives.
