Freight Train Delays at West Coast Ports Disrupt Goods Distribution in the US Midwest

US shipping companies recorded a noticeable increase in dwell times for railcars at the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Seattle, as inland rail delays now range between 3 and 5 days above normal averages.

Data from rail operators BNSF and Union Pacific indicated that railyards in Chicago and Kansas City recorded their highest levels of congestion since the beginning of the year, driven by a surge in Asian cargo arriving via the Pacific.

US retail associations warned that continued delays threaten the timely delivery of goods intended for the back-to-school and holiday seasons, calling for the diversification of entry points toward East Coast ports.

Logistics company forecasts indicate that capacity pressure will escalate in September as the seasonal import surge begins, potentially raising inland freight costs by 10% to 15% in the fourth quarter. Companies warn that the problem is structural rather than seasonal, and that the solution requires urgent investments in rail infrastructure.

What do these terms mean?

Inland Rail: A train network that transports containers from ports to the interior of the country as an alternative to long-haul trucking.

Railyards: Massive stations on the rail network where cars are sorted and distributed to various destinations—their congestion slows down the entire network.

Intermodal Freight: A system that combines sea, land, and rail transport into a single chain using standard containers that move without reloading.