CargoTrans Says 3-4 More Weeks Needed for Ports to Recover from Sandy

Cargo traffic at the New York and New Jersey ports remains "extremely backlogged" following Superstorm Sandy, broker/forwarder CargoTrans Inc. is telling its customers. It said exporters and importers are "still struggling to recover."

Among the problems that CargoTrans cited are:

• Several vessels bypassed the affected ports, leaving import containers at other east coast ports and some export containers still waiting for an outbound vessel. It said many of the diverted containers are being moved via truck.
• Several containers were flooded and ship lines are refusing to take these export containers without inspections.
• There is a chassis shortage in the New York and New Jersey ports because many chassis were damaged by the storm.
• Terminal recovery is being slowed by the Veterans Day and Thanksgiving holidays.

"All of these variables have caused a ripple-effect that has been felt by everyone that relies on the port," CargoTrans said. "According to our estimations, it will take another 3 to 4 weeks before the current conditions return to normal." CargoTrans said its entire operation is working as hard as possible to resolve the problems.