17 Dec 2024

How a Longshoremen’s Strike Could Disrupt Global Trade

Negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the US Maritime Alliance have stalled for over a month, with President-elect Donald Trump voicing clear support for the ILA’s stance. With a potential strike looming on January 15th, it’s crucial to assess the cascading impacts this event could have, not only during the strike itself but […]

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11 Dec 2024

Retailers Sound Alarm: January Port Strikes Could Paralyze Supply Chains

Retailers and major trade associations are calling on East Coast and Gulf Coast port operators and unions to resume negotiations to prevent potential strike action when a temporary labor contract expires in January. The contract, established in October between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) following three days of strikes, […]

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23 Oct 2024

Global Trade Feels the Shockwaves from ILA Strike, Analysts Warn

The recent three-day strike by dockworkers at East and Gulf coast ports may have ended quickly, but its effects will be felt in global trade for weeks to come. Lars Jensen, CEO of Vespucci Maritime and container shipping analyst for the Journal of Commerce, warned Thursday that shippers should brace for a delayed reduction in […]

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21 Oct 2024

Rail Delays Soar as LA-LB Ports Hit Record Import Highs in September

  In September, rail container dwell times at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach hit their highest levels in two years as the ports experienced a surge in import volumes from Asia. This spike is partially attributed to retailers redirecting cargo from the East and Gulf coasts due to a looming longshore strike. […]

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18 Oct 2024

Global Ripple Effects of ILA Strike

    The recent three-day strike by dockworkers at East and Gulf Coast ports is set to cause a delayed reduction in capacity on certain trade lanes and may impact cargo frontloading ahead of a possible work stoppage in January, according to container shipping analyst Lars Jensen. Although the strike lasted only from October 1-3, […]

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04 Oct 2024

Ports Reopen: ILA End Strike with Wage Offer, Contract Extension.

  After weeks of contentious negotiations, maritime employers and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) have reached a tentative deal to reopen container terminals at East and Gulf coast ports. The agreement includes a substantial wage increase for dockworkers and a three-month contract extension while formal negotiations continue. The breakthrough, announced Thursday evening, comes after the […]

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15 Jan 2024

West Coast Ports Prepare for Import Wave Amid Global Turmoil

West Coast ports are bracing for a tidal wave of incoming goods as supply chain woes and international tension collide. This perfect storm stems from several factors: Inventory restocking: Retailers are replenishing shelves after periods of low stock, driving up import demand. Homecoming cargo: Goods that shifted to other ports during last year’s labor talks are returning to […]

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14 Jun 2023

Impact of Panama Canal Load Restrictions and US Stevedore Strikes on the Global Shipping Sector

As the bustling summer season kicks off, labor disputes have disrupted the flow of shipping in the United States. Members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have staged protests, resulting in congestion and delays at U.S. West Coast ports, as reported by CNBC. The average wait times for container vessels attempting to enter Los […]

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15 Jan 2023

Cargo Flow at LA-LB, NY-NY Terminals Near Normal

  APM Terminals (APMT) said the two largest container gateways in the U.S., Los Angeles-Long Beach and New York-New Jersey, are returning to pre-pandemic efficiency levels while noting it will take some time for ports along the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast to achieve more normal cargo flow. Leo Huisman, APMT’s managing director for the […]

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