LONG BEACH – (INT) – Finger-pointing continues as the process of unloading dozens of cargo ships stalled off the coast shifts into gear.

There are an estimated 500,000 containers aboard those ships waiting to be off-loaded at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

According to the Institute of Applied Research (IAR) at Cal State San Bernardino, blame is being put on a trucker shortage causing the problem. Others contend “outdated infrastructure, importers with nowhere to store the containers, and dock help not keeping up with demand.”

At last count, a record 66 ships were at anchor waiting to dock. They are waiting an average of six days, compared to a “typical” wait time of two days.

The IAR says it’s a serious situation ahead of the holiday season. Many retail stores could be hit with shortages and delays.

Story Date: October 10, 2021