US east coast port strike Archives - The Loadstar

Forwarders warn shippers to expect a second ILA-USMX work stoppage

Ian Putzger Americas correspondent — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 10:35:04 +0000

There was widespread relief that the work stoppage at US east and Gulf coast ports at the beginning of October was called off after three days. While it has taken some time to clear the congestion at afflicted ports like Savannah, this was nothing like the system-wide paralysis that had been widely predicted if the strike had been allowed to go on.
Beyond the immediate relief of facing a peak season ...

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Election fever and port labour tension keep supply chain players on edge, says Seko Logistics

Alexander Whiteman — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 11:18:41 +0000

Air, ocean, and trucking markets are set for a bumpy three months, with a US presidential election and the outcome of east coast labour negotiations to set their short-term future.
Speaking to The Loadstar, Seko’s global chief commercial officer, Brian Bourke, said the near-term supply chain market would be dictated by three “milestones”: contract negotiations; that election; and, importantly, getting the results.
“Learning the result of the election could take weeks; we’d ...

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Rates still slipping as peak season recedes and port strike threat subsides

Charlie Bartlett technology editor — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 11:12:57 +0000

Freight rates are continuing their downward correction following the premature peak season and front-loading of volumes, leaving shipping lines facing an underwhelming winter.
The Drewry World Container Index (WCI) this week continued its drastic downward trajectory, established in July, reaching $3,216 per feu, demonstrating that Cape of Good Hope transits are now a matter of routine. New tonnage is constantly hitting the water and the decision of whether port workers on ...

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Halifax a winner as vessels re-route due to US east coast strike

Gavin van Marle — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 12:18:55 +0000

The Canadian east coast gateway of Halifax – and, by extension, port operator PSA which runs its two container terminals – has emerged as the main winner from the three-day ILA stoppage on the US east and Gulf coasts.
“Despite the Chinese Golden Week contributing to a temporary rise in blank sailings, Halifax saw increased activity during the ILA strike, with 25 vessel calls, up from 14 the week prior,” eeSea ...

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Fallout from hurricanes a greater concern than strikes, say forwarders

Alexander Whiteman — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 10:36:11 +0000

Forwarders are growing increasingly concerned over the wave of storms battering the southern US states, as fears of long-lasting fallout from last week’s port strike recede.
Dockers agreed to suspend the strike for new negotiations, but the three-day action on the east and Gulf coasts led to concern that supply chains could experience major delays.
However, it appears that the fallout from the strike has been negligible – in part thanks to ...

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Fans of American toilet paper in Poland back on a roll

Alex Lennane — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 12:23:10 +0000

Americans concerned over personal hygiene following the start of the port strike have reportedly panic-bought toilet rolls, again.
Several Costco stores reportedly sold out of the much-used commodity in Brooklyn, New York; Clifton, New Jersey; Norwalk, Connecticut; and Gilbert, Arizona, while Walmart stores in Lindale, Texas, and Boonton, New Jersey, also sold out, according to Marketplace.
However, as Yao J, an associate professor of supply chain management at Miami University, pointed out ...

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Strike swell hits transatlantic rates – transpac shippers hold their breath

Gavin van Marle — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 12:11:33 +0000

The supply chain ripples from the US east and Gulf coast port strike have largely still to make themselves felt in global spot freight rates, according to this week’s indices.
Despite predictions that the transpacific eastbound headhaul trade might see a surge of demand into US west coast ports, the major spot rate indices saw freight rates decline on the trade: the Drewry World Container Index’s (WCI) Shanghai-Los Angeles leg declined ...

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US ports re-open as ILA and USMX extend master contract – and negotiations – to January

Alex Lennane — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 08:59:15 +0000

The USMX and the ILA – likely under the influence of the White House – have ended the strike, for now, with ports re-opening today.
The pair announced last night that they have reached a “tentative agreement on wages” and that they will extend the current master contract until 15 January, five days before the new US president takes office.
In a joint statement, they said that they would “return to the ...

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Port strike will see 60 more ships at anchor this week and rates rising

Gavin van Marle — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 11:00:18 +0000

As the port strike on the US east and Gulf coasts enters its third day, container supply chain analysts are beginning to calculate just how many vessels and how much capacity might find itself ensnarled in mounting congestion.
While the key factor will be the length of the port closures, Sea-Intelligence Consulting has forecast that the strike’s first week could lead to around 60 vessels at anchor off the US east ...

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Talks rumoured to be underway after USMX urged ILA back to the table

Alex Lennane — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 09:01:32 +0000

There is growing noise in the market that talks between the ILA and USMX are underway.
Today the ILA, notably, had not updated its Facebook page – where it has been making announcements – for more than 16 hours.
No images, no speeches, no noise at all, which is uncharacteristic. There have also been no statements from the USMX.
And speculation is growing on social media that negotiations may have restarted.
Peter Mento, commercial ...

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