Abstract
The continuous increase of port congestion in the San Pedro Bay is persuading the importers to relocate the port of entry for their goods. However, both the ports at Long Beach and Los Angeles provide facilities and services that cannot matched by any other ports. This reports first aims to present a study of the various relevant factors to be considered when considering alternative ports by an importer/exporter of products using these 2 ports. It secondly lists and assesses the possible alternate ports according to these requirements. The research then proposes 3 different areas of imports: the Northwest Coast, the secondary ports of California and Mexico. The Northwest Coast ports (Vancouver, Tacoma and Seattle) provide good sea transportation and are the closest ports from China. Being fairly large, these ports provide good infrastructure and service levels. However, the lead time is subjected to decrease if the consumption of the imported good is not in the Southwest for areas such as the East Coast or Midwest. The possible cost reduction will depend on the industry and the market in which the company operates.
