The 2021 West Coast Port Congestion, and Vulnerabilities in Global Shipping Strategy
Open Access
- Author:
- Cote, Charles
- Area of Honors:
- Supply Chain and Information Systems
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Robert Alexander Novack, Thesis Supervisor
Saurabh Bansal, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- Supply Chain
Port Congestion
Global Shipping - Abstract:
- An academic view of a global economic crisis that occurred from 2020 through 2022, focused through the lens of the impact to ports on the West Coast of the United States of America, primarily those located in Los Angeles and Long Beach. A compilation of interviews, literature review, and analysis based on private and public financial impacts. The express purpose of this thesis is to identify areas where the U.S. economy was vulnerable to the crisis that occurred, to investigate whether these vulnerabilities still exist, and what actions have been or are being taken to prevent another economic disaster of this scale. It begins with the necessary context regarding the U.S port economy. Then it explains the major impacts had on said economy by Covid-19 and the subsequent congestion crisis that followed. Alongside the breakdown of events is an analysis of business strategies employed to attempt to mitigate the effects of the congestion, why most of them were unsuccessful, and what can be learned from them. The analysis and conclusion focus on current efforts to prevent a recurrence of the crisis and discuss why these efforts are important beyond the obvious reasons. The primary focus is on developing greater supply chain visibility to prevent the disconnects that amplified each aspect of the congestion crisis. There are also specific solutions presented to three key players in the congestion crisis, those being ocean carrier regulations, rail line infrastructure, and developing drayage driver benefits.