To better explain the reason for low load volume for the first couple months of the pandemic (February, March), here are some stats of the impact COVID-19 has had on the supply chain:
Container volumes have declined by 22.9% at the Port of Los Angeles.
Imports have dropped 17.9%, while exports increased 19.3%.
Empty containers sent overseas decreased 12.8%.
While we are navigating through these difficult times, NEXT is forecasting a tremendous pickup in freight in mid to late April.
Volumes at the port are likely to increase dramatically as production in countries like China and Vietnam ramps up again. We are already hearing from customers that China is at 60% of typical production, up from 0% just a few weeks ago.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. More importantly, thank you for being the heroes that keep our stores stocked.