Timeline
- Late June: empty return backlog pushed average wait times to roughly 110 minutes at primary in-terminal locations
- Early July: terminal operators began directing empty returns to two newly designated off-dock locations
- This week: average wait times across all locations down to roughly 90 minutes, still above the ~45 minute baseline from earlier in the year
- Through mid-July: backlog expected to persist as export-bound empty demand continues alongside import discharge volume
Recommended Actions
- Check current return location assignments daily, since equipment type and shipping line determine which of the now-three available locations accepts a given empty.
- Plan for a 90-minute return window per container until wait times return closer to the 45-minute baseline.
- Where possible, batch empty returns with export pickups at the same facility to reduce total trips.
- Confirm new off-dock return locations have capacity before dispatching, as on-ground telemetry indicates at least one of the new locations reached capacity briefly this week.
- Track shipping-line-specific return instructions closely, as not all lines have been added to the new locations yet.
| Period | Avg. Return Wait | Return Locations Available |
|---|---|---|
| Earlier in year (baseline) | ~45 min | 2 in-terminal |
| Late June (peak backlog) | ~110 min | 2 in-terminal |
| This week | ~90 min | 2 in-terminal + 2 off-dock |
Why has the backlog only partially eased despite new locations?
On-ground telemetry combined with terminal operator notices indicates that while the two new off-dock locations have absorbed some volume, total empty-equipment volume at Oakland has also increased over the same period, offsetting much of the capacity gain. The net result is a wait-time improvement of roughly 20 minutes rather than a return to baseline.
Which equipment types are eligible for the new return locations?
Terminal operator notices indicate the new off-dock locations are currently accepting standard dry containers from a subset of shipping lines, with reefer and specialized equipment still directed to the original in-terminal locations. Drivers should confirm eligibility before routing to a new location to avoid being turned away.
What Shippers Should Do
- Verify the correct return location for each container's equipment type and shipping line before dispatch.
- Continue budgeting roughly 90 minutes per empty return until wait times decline further.
- Coordinate with drayage providers to batch empty returns with other moves at the same facility where feasible.
- Watch for further location expansions, as terminal operators have indicated additional off-dock capacity may be added if the backlog persists past mid-July.