Retailers are feeling a negative economic impact from congestion at the Port of New York and New Jersey and are anxious for the delays to abate before the start of the pre-holiday peak shipping season, the National Retail Federation (NRF) says. NRF President Matthew Shay sent a letter to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the New York Shipping Association, expressing concern about delays that have plagued the port during the last two months.
Delays at the port started in early June when Maher Terminals encountered problems integrating a new Navis N4 operating platform with the terminal’s existing systems. Delays spread throughout the port as ships were diverted to other terminals, including Global Terminal at Bayonne, N.J., which is in the midst of major construction. Maher said last week that it had turned the corner on its computer problems and would be ready when diverted ships return to the port’s largest terminal next month.
Container line Hapag-Lloyd sent an extraordinary message to customers, warning that the delays are likely to continue until mid-September and urging them to divert cargo to other U.S. East Coast and Canadian ports.
The above advisory was provided by Delmar International Inc.