Winter weather and port congestion create variability

February is often a transitional month for ports and drayage, with volumes easing after year-end. This year’s situation is complicated by winter weather, inland congestion, appointment issues, and changing service patterns, which together may cause unpredictable throughput at major U.S. gateways.

Winter storms intensify supply chain disruptions

Across the South, Midwest, and East Coast of the United States, winter storms in late January and early February created more than just short-term visibility issues. Ice-driven impacts restricted freight access, extended transit times by 24–48+ hours, and closed some marine terminals, causing delays, missed appointments, and lingering network backlogs. This produced delays, missed appointments, and residual network backlogs persisting even after the weather clears.

These patterns aren’t new, but February’s sequencing—storm events overlapping with reduced container fluidity—may make the effects more pronounced, particularly for shippers managing tight delivery windows.

Inland rail congestion drags down container fluidity

While ports themselves may operate steadily, inland rail ramps are acting as chokepoints. NS Landers in Chicago continues to struggle with long truck wait times linked to newly implemented gate and appointment procedures. Some drivers report delays of three to five hours. Meanwhile, NS Sharon in Cincinnati is experiencing significant congestion, limited chassis availability, and controlled equipment releases. These challenges may continue as an appointment system is implemented.

These inland realities are pushing drayage providers to pre-pull more containers, adjust schedules, and absorb higher accessorial costs, creating a quieter but persistent drag on overall network fluidity.

Operational rules are shifting in real time

New transport requirements are adding fresh layers of complexity. U.S. railroads now require extra loading documentation and inspections for shipments that include brake drums, rotors, and steel wheels. If cargo does not meet the updated standards, rail carriers may halt equipment at the port of discharge. While this shift has not yet produced widespread congestion, it introduces a new compliance checkpoint that may slow certain lanes or add unplanned touches during February.

Planning ahead

While U.S. coastal ports remain mostly stable, inland issues pose bigger challenges in the weeks ahead. Supply chains are now more likely to be disrupted by ramp delays, chassis shortages, ice-related shutdowns, and updated rail inspections. Minimize network strain by staying flexible with pickups, expanding appointment times, and maintaining strong communication with drayage providers.

For details about flatbed conditions, visit the flatbed section on the truckload page of this report.

Notable updates this month

Mexico drayage steady as North America conditions shift

Mexico’s inland drayage network continues to show a high degree of operational steadiness, with no major disruptions flagged across trucking corridors or inland nodes. This stands out given February’s volatility in the U.S. interior.

For cross-border freight and nearshoring supply chains, Mexico’s predictable drayage performance offers operational advantages when U.S. domestic networks face weather-related strain, rail imbalances, or appointment-system variability. Shippers moving cargo to or through Mexico are benefiting from consistent gate access and a more balanced chassis environment compared to constrained U.S. inland hubs.

Get more details on Mexico shipping trends in the cross-border section of this report.

Oceania sees efficient inland operations and optimized equipment utilization

Oceania continues to report smooth coastal and inland drayage activity. Equipment availability remains stable, with no significant constraints across Melbourne, Fremantle, or Adelaide, and coastal routings are functioning without disruption. This creates a favorable backdrop for exporters leveraging February’s strong refrigerated and dry cargo demand, and it positions Oceania as one of the few regions with clean handoffs between ports and inland transport.

Key takeaways

• Monitor inland-driven congestion at key U.S. ramps, as icy conditions have extended drayage cycle times by 24–48+ hours, which may affect appointment reliability and capacity availability. Shippers may benefit from building flexibility into delivery windows.
• Review accessorial exposure for freight moving through NS Landers (Chicago), where new gate and stacking procedures have prolonged turn times to 3–5 hours. This may suggest the need for earlier appointment scheduling or alternative routings when feasible.
• Expect continued challenges at Cincinnati ramps, where chassis shortages, metered DCLI releases, and congestion at the NS Sharon terminal are creating elevated risk of pre-pulls, redeliveries, and extra fees.
• Align early on loading documentation for brake drums, rotors, and steel wheels since new rail safety rules may require more frequent inspections. Supplying packing lists and loading photos in advance helps cut down port dwell time.

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