Record Backlog of Cargo Ships at the US Ports - Bike Shipping Delay May Occur

Unpacking your new Delfast TOP 3.0 electric bike is one of the most exciting experiences. Few things can compare to finally getting your high-end two-wheeler at home. But if you are a US customer you may have a delivery delay due to reasons that are not under our control. We understand your disappointment and regret this situation. However, a record backlog in the major ports of Southern California is wreaking havoc on supply chains across America.

For most of September 2021, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach experienced unprecedented congestion. For now, half a million cargo containers are waiting to be unloaded off the Southern Californian coast. With the peak shipping period getting underway as the holiday shopping season approaches, in recent weeks the ports have been setting new records for ships in port almost daily. 

To add insult to injury, there is a general shortage of trucks, trains, and warehouses to store the cargo. The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t helped to alleviate the situation. Sanitary restrictions still in place have impacted the availability of personnel. Also, experts have identified the outdated infrastructure of these ports as one of the causes of the backlog. Nowadays, cargo ships docking at these ports are twice or thrice the size they used to be a decade ago. All these factors combined to cause major delays in the delivery of goods in the rest of the country. If the problem is not solved in the short term, global supply chains may also be affected.

It is not the first time that a bottleneck occurs in the ports of Southern California. However, the backlog of last month was like nothing before. Sadly, this problem could extend the waiting time to receive your TOP 3.0. We feel your pain, but, unfortunately, there is nothing we can do to change the situation. Anyway, we hope you get your new electric bike in the shortest time possible. We are closely following the development of the event and will update you on any major improvements. Stay tuned!