Track: Supply Chain and Logisitcs Competition

Abstract

The onset of COVID-19 led to numerous changes in the global supply chain, affecting all members, including suppliers, distributors, retailers, and consumers. Consumer demand for e-commerce skyrocketed, and all other supply chain members struggled to meet this new demand, with the supply chain disruption becoming most prevalent in 2021. One such public disruption was the backlog of container ships at the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which continues well into 2022. These backlogs are caused by various issues, including worker shortages, equipment failures, and the eCommerce boom. As a result, ships that were once able to arrive and unload their cargo promptly must now spend two to three weeks waiting for a spot to clear up in the port. In this paper, we will examine the root causes of the backlog of container ships occurring at the ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach and provide our findings and analysis of possible avenues to decrease or end this disruption.