Quantitative measures suggest that port congestion resulting from an inability to unload and distribute containers especially at West Coast ports is easing. The New York Federal Reserve Bank established the Global Supply Chain Pressure Index (GSCPI) incorporating close to thirty variables relating to importation of goods by sea-freight.  In October, the GSCPI peaked at 4.37 standard deviations above average levels for pre-COVID global congestion.  Progressive declines were recorded in November and December 2021, although congestion persists in West Coast ports. 

A second measure of congestion comprises the Ocean Time Index (OTI) is based on the duration of a voyage from factories in Asia to the exit gate of a specific port of destination.  The OTI peaked at 114 days declining to 110 days during the first week of February representing a small improvement on average but still extremely high for West Coast ports.

It is anticipated that both the OTI and the GSCPI will decline as consumer spending moves from products to services.  It is generally accepted that the sharp increase in demand for goods was fueled by Federal handouts intended to alleviate the economic downturn due to COVID.

The number of container ships awaiting berths at Los Angeles and Long Beach were down to 78 during the first week of February 2022 and approximately one third less than the all-time high of 109 on January 9th 2021.