The World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence has ranked ports worldwide in the second edition of the Container Port Performance Index.  Rankings are based on the duration of the turnaround time during which container vessels are docked to unload cargo and receive empty containers.

The ability of West Coast ports to service vessels was under stress during the late 2020s. The pandemic created serious delays resulting in disruption of supply chains. This contributed to shortages of imported goods, an inability to export agricultural products and both higher prices for importing nations. 

Leading world ports based on their efficiency during 2021 included the King Abdullah facility followed by major ports in Oman, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.  In fairness all these ports were recently constructed and equipped with modern equipment, adequate area and managed by expatriate personnel. Shanghai-Yangsan, Ningbo and Guangzhou in China were also among the top ten.

The King Abdullah port moves 96 containers per hour on average compared to 26 for West Coast facilities. In 2020, Los Angeles was ranked 337th in efficiency out of 351, followed by Long Beach at 341.  The Port of Virginia which is relatively modern ranked 23rd followed by Miami at the 29th rank, demonstrating the difference between the West and East coasts.

The World Bank determined that inefficiency was due to limitations on port area, deficient transport infrastructure, inadequate investment and oversight and a lack of coordination among public agencies involved in management and investment.