A depot to temporarily store empty containers and alleviate ongoing congestion at the nation’s second busiest seaport is now open, Port of Long Beach officials said Monday.

The 30-acre facility on Pier S, which will run at least until March 31, opened Monday to serve as a temporarily solution for dealing with bottlenecks at the port and freeing up more chassis, the truck-towed trailers necessary to carry containers to warehouses across the region.

Congestion brought on by the lack of available chassis, the arrival of bigger ships and other factors have plagued international and domestic ports, including the ports at Los Angeles and Long Beach. Bottlenecks have been felt throughout the supply chain, leading to ships waiting at anchor, long truck lines, crowded yards and delayed shipments.

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