Daily US Times: LA port, which is one of the biggest US ports will start operating 24 hours a day in an attempt to clear long queues of cargo ships stuck waiting outside.

It comes as port authorities scramble to ease global supply issues that may lead to goods shortages this Christmas.

The Port of Los Angeles in California – which handle 40% of all cargo containers entering the US – will handle more cargos at night after a similar move by nearby Long Beach port.

The ports have faced months of problems.

Major US firms such as FedEx and Walmart have also committed to increasing their round-the-clock operations to help clear the jam, the White House said on Wednesday.

As economies have unlocked and consumer demand has roared back, global supply chains have been disrupted.

As retailers rushed to restock their products, the shipping system struggled to keep up. Coronavirus shutdowns at major factories and ports in Asia have added to the problem.

It has led to shortages of new clothes, children’s toys, timber and pet food in the US and elsewhere, while also pushing up consumer prices.

The Long Beach and LA port- which are the main seaborne gateway to the United States – have been hit hard. LA port had to move 30% more shipping containers than usual in August, while Long Beach moved an extra 23%.

A record 73 ships were forced to queue outside for a berth on one day in September. Before the coronavirus pandemic, it was unusual for more than one to have to wait at a time.

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