Although terminal operators at US ports acknowledge operations are fluid now, an expected spike in imports beginning mid-May has prompted them to begin offering on-terminal storage space for laden import containers carrying non-essential merchandise.
The move, which is unprecedented in that terminal operators always encourage shorter container dwell times at their facilities, is being taken to prevent a backlog of non-essential shipments from interfering with the expeditious movement of containers carrying essential goods needed during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.