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Port backlog leads to many ships at anchor and traffic jams

Seattle city skyline from Gas Works Park in Fremont. (File photo: KIRO 7 News)

SEATTLE — The Port of Seattle was so busy Thursday that six ships waited at anchor, everywhere from Elliott Bay to Holmes Harbor off Whidbey Island.

The U.S. Coast Guard sent them there.

“The Vessel Traffic Service here at Sector Puget Sound is basically like air traffic control for vessels in the water,” said Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier.

The port backlog that started in California has now spread to Puget Sound.

Demand for imports from Asia surged during the pandemic.

According to the Northwest Seaport Alliance, backups in the rail system to the Midwest means ships can wait at anchor between five and nine days before they can offload.

The Coast Guard wants to make sure they’re in a safe spot.

“If we have a large windstorm or something come up, that vessel needs to be secured,” Strohmaier said.

The domino effect is now reaching Seattle, where commuters who travel near the port may find themselves in a sea of trucks.

At times, this is affecting routes around the closed West Seattle Bridge.

Port officials say they’re working with terminal operators to extend working hours to spread out the traffic jams.