Following labor disruptions on the U.S. West Coast in late 2014 and early 2015, as well as
less dramatic port congestion issues in Europe and Asia, delays to containerized cargo
movement and port congestion have been a subject of understandable interest. The efficiency
of the international containerized cargo transportation system is an important economic issue,
and there are many elements that affect the continued efficient flow of containerized cargo.
Some recent discussions of port congestion have cited the increase in average vessel size
and the rise of multi-partner shipping alliances as causes of port congestion. The aim of this
short paper is to support a fact driven analysis of the impact of vessel size and alliances on port
congestion. Port congestion can and does arise from multiple causes. Closer dialogue and joint
problem solving is what is needed to address those issues, and solutions will not be found by
pointing fingers. Every participant in the supply chain will have a role to play.