Extended hours at the Port of Long Beach have gone unused by truckers for more than two weeks as dozens of container ships idle offshore, The Wall Street Journal reported.

A pilot program offering 24-hour container operations at Total Terminals International LLC — among the largest terminals at Long Beach — is an effort to cope with the flood of imports that has swamped the neighboring Los Angeles and Long Beach ports and snarled inland supply chains. 

Major retailers have been asked to use overnight gates, but it will take time to set up new work patterns, said Port of Long Beach executive director Mario Cordero. The program underscores the challenges of aligning port operations with drayage companies and distribution facilities. 

TTI says it’s exploring ways to make the new hours more productive.