Overcoming Port Congestion Challenges: How to Keep Freight Moving in a Bottlenecked World

If you’ve moved cargo through the ports of Seattle or Tacoma lately, you know: port congestion isn’t just a headline—it’s a daily grind. Chassis shortages, terminal delays, full yards, missed appointments. For shippers and consignees alike, even minor hangups can ripple into bigger problems fast.

At Terminal Transfer, we’ve spent decades running drayage and transload operations across the Pacific Northwest, and we’ve seen firsthand what it takes to keep freight flowing when the ports are at a standstill. Here’s what actually works.

Get Visibility Early and Often

You can’t fix what you can’t see. When freight sits at the terminal and timelines slip, communication gaps become costly. We advise our partners to work with providers who offer real-time container tracking and proactive updates, not just an ETA in an email footer. Step one is knowing where your cargo is and what’s holding it up.

Flex Where You Can

Port congestion is unpredictable, but your response doesn’t have to be. Diversify pickup windows when possible. Use off-peak delivery appointments. If you’ve got enough volume, consider pre-pull and yard storage options to avoid demurrage. This isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter with what you’ve got.

Choose Partners Who Know the Terrain

There’s no substitute for local knowledge. Terminal Transfer knows every terminal, gate, and alternate route from here to I-5. We know which facilities fill up fastest, where to route around chassis issues, and how to keep your freight from becoming just another stranded container.

In the end, beating congestion isn’t about beating the port—it’s about building flexibility into your supply chain and working with people who see around corners.

Ready to keep your cargo moving, no matter what’s stacked at the gate? Let’s make a plan together.