Still smooth sailing at Los Angeles, Long Beach

Still smooth sailing at Los Angeles, Long Beach    The Marine Exchange of Southern California reported Thursday that vessel traffic is still running smoothly at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.
   'From the waterside, there have been no delays for vessels arriving and going directly to their berths; turnaround times appear normal for all ships; and all systems are 'go' for keeping it that way through the traditional 'peak shipping period' that we’re now in,' Marine Exchange Executive Director Manny Achemeyer wrote in an e-mail update.
   'From the landside, PMA and ILWU report no shortages of labor or gangs; the railroads appear to have sufficient equipment and personnel to keep the trains moving; the truckers apparently are adjusting to the 'PierPass OffPeak' program for moving cargo at night,' Achemeyer wrote.
   There have only been three days in August where the number of ships in the ports have exceeded the normal range of 35 to 50, but there were no delays on those days, Achemeyer said. In 2004, the number of ships in port in August exceeded 50 every day of the month.