Mexico West Coast Port Capacity Strains Rise amid Cargo Diversion
Rapid volume growth at Lazaro Cardenas stretches landside capacity and increases lead times for North American transshipment.
Vessel Dwell Time
Port Duration
Maritime metrics that measure the total time a ship remains at a berth or in a port area track the efficiency of maritime cargo handling. High vessel dwell time indicates delays in the loading or unloading process. Port authorities use this figure to evaluate the performance of terminal operators and the speed of crane movements.
This measurement starts when a ship first ties up and ends when the final line is released.
Ground Interface
Ground operations determine the speed of the ship’s departure. During the period of vessel dwell time, stevedores move containers between the deck and the staging yard. The coordination of yard tractors and gantry cranes is essential for maintaining a steady flow.
If the yard is congested, the cranes cannot move at their rated speed, which keeps the ship at the dock longer than planned.
Infrastructure Boundary
Infrastructure limits set the minimum possible time for a port call. While vessel dwell time can be reduced through better technology, it is limited by the number of cranes available for a single ship. Labor availability and local work rules also influence the hours during which cargo can be moved.
Excessive dwell times often lead to port congestion and the imposition of surcharges by shipping lines to cover the cost of the delay. Weather conditions such as high winds or fog can halt operations entirely for safety reasons. The total duration of the stay is also impacted by the time required for customs inspections and bunkering services.