California Reduces Container Backlog by 32%

This week, Gov. Gavin Newsom highlighted ongoing work to address the global supply chain crisis, including policies to help ease congestion and alleviate backlogs. The governor was joined at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach by Port Envoy John D. Porcari, International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) President Willie Adams, port leadership and elected officials.

The combined actions of government, labor, port operators and the private sector have resulted in a 32 percent drop in containers docked for more than nine days in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

“California has taken swift action across the board to address congestion and increase our capacity to move goods quickly,” says Newsom. “I am grateful for the cooperation of both the public and private sectors – from the federal government to the ports, the workforce, the retailers and the shipping lines – for the additional commitments they’ve made to tackle the backlog.”

To support these efforts to keep goods moving and lessen backlogs, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced a strategic partnership to help facilitate projects and financing opportunities for multi-billion infrastructure improvements in California including providing up to $5 billion for ports and supply chain infrastructure. In addition, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and ILWU workers committed to a shift towards 24/7 operations in the coming months.