President Biden announced Wednesday that the Port of Los Angeles would operate around the clock to alleviate a logistical bottleneck that has left dozens of container ships idling off the California coast and Americans waiting longer to get products manufactured overseas.

       Longshoremen will work through the night and major retailers and shipping companies have pledged to clear cargo off the docks faster, changes that are intended to speed the flow of toys, electronics and other gifts to American doorsteps during the holiday season.

       “Today’s announcement has the potential to be a game changer,” Biden said as he acknowledged that people are worrying about whether everything from “toasters to sneakers to bicycles to bedroom furniture” were going to be available.

       Container ships at the ports of Los Angeles on Wednesday.

       (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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       Container ships are unloaded at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach while other vessels wait offshore.

       (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

       Container ships wait to unload.

       (Allen J. Schaben /Los Angeles Times)

       A sailboat passes one of the container ships sitting off the coast of the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

       (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

       Containers are unloaded from a docked ship.

       (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

       Container ships wait offshore.

       (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

       A truck driver checks his cargo as the Port of Los Angeles is set to begin operating around the clock.

       (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)

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       Cargo trucks wait in long lines to enter the port.

       (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)

       Cargo ships wait to enter the port on Wednesday in San Pedro,

       (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)