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Be aware of Asia port delays, low water at Port of Montreal
North America
U.S. East Coast
Rail service into Port of New York improving
Rail service delays into the Port of New York have improved slightly, but that and congestion at some marine terminals is expected through September.
Shippers should factor buffer time into delivery schedules and consider alternative East Coast gateways, including Norfolk, Savannah, or Charleston. Advanced booking becomes critical for service reliability during peak periods, with lead time of two to three weeks suggested.
Proposed labor rules put New Jersey drayage capacity at risk
New Jersey is proposing significant changes to worker classification standards that would make it easier for the state to designate independent contractors as employees. The proposed framework mirrors California’s AB5 law and could have major implications for trucking operations in the state. Under these rules, many owner-operators—drivers who operate their own trucks—would lose the ability to haul freight for multiple companies in a single day, because being classified as an employee typically requires exclusivity.
For carriers, the changes could require providing payroll, benefits, and operational oversight that conflict with the independent contractor model. A reduction in the number of active owner-operators would likely tighten drayage capacity, disrupt operations, and potentially increase costs. The New Jersey Department of Labor is expected to finalize the rules in late 2025.
Shippers with drayage needs in New Jersey should closely monitor developments, assess which carriers use independent contractors, and work with logistics providers to identify alternative routing or capacity options. Building operational flexibility now will help reduce the risk of service disruptions if the rules take effect.
U.S. Gulf Coast
Chassis shortage persists at Port of Houston
Houston's export demand traditionally exceeds import levels, so the port already has a structural imbalance. High petrochemical resin production in the region generates strong export demand for containers, but limited vessel capacity to European destinations means containers are tied up longer in the supply chain, reducing their availability for other exporters.
These imbalances will persist until import volumes recover and vessel schedules normalize following U.S. tariff policy changes, or until carriers invest in additional equipment positioning. Neither scenario appears likely in the near term.
Canada
Low water levels could impact operations at Port of Montreal
Overall, congestion at Canadian ports is improving. At the Port of Montreal, water levels are lower than normal due to an exceptionally dry summer. Carriers bringing cargo to this port from Europe and South Asia, Middle East, and Africa have already started to apply a low water service fee. Without substantial rainfall soon, there may be more significant impacts on vessel operations.
Asia
Port delays are extending total transit time by days, weeks
Major Asia ports including Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai are experiencing persistent delays that create a ripple effect throughout supply chains. When vessels arrive late at these ports, they are missing their scheduled connections to inland transportation networks. Cargo is arriving late for rail connections, truck pickups, and warehouse appointments that are critical for final delivery to customers. The cascading effect can extend total transit times by days or even weeks beyond the original vessel schedule.
Europe
Global port congestion has eased, with the share of container capacity stuck outside ports improving from 10% in May to 8.4%. But congestion continues to tie up substantial capacity at European gateways. Especially for European exporters shipping to the U.S. East Coast, port delays can add substantially to overall transit time.