The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are experiencing higher than normal congestion.  According to a Journal of Commerce interview with executive director of the Marine Exchange of Southern California, Capt. J. Kipling Louttit, cargo container ships are dropping anchor and waiting in line to be received at terminals.  “There’s usually zero wait times […]

The chassis and labor shortages in the Los Angeles/Long Beach Ports are causing truckers, and consequently shippers, considerable setbacks at the moment. Trucking companies in the area are facing an uphill battle on two fronts; not only there is a significant labor shortage on working the vessels at the docks, but there is also a major shortage of chassis required to handle the daily cargo volume.

Following a toxic fire of the Pasha terminal at Berth 177 in the Port of Los Angeles, which spurred air quality concerns from creosote covered wood, officials announced remaining terminals have resumed operations 6 p.m. Tuesday evening.  Nearby Yusen Terminals International announced they would reopen 8 a.m. Wednesday morning. The fire originally broke out at 6:40 p.m. […]

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a 6:40 p.m. Monday evening call at the 800 block of South Fries Avenue located in the Port of Los Angeles.   Air quality concerns from creosote covered wood caused the port closing as well an overnight shelter-in-place advisory.  Creosote is a gummy, foul smelling, corrosive and extremely combustible […]

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) released a joint statement last night announcing that an agreement has been reached on the health care portion of the negotiations for their new master contract.  These negotiations have been ongoing since May and it was expected that discussions involving health benefits […]

A 12% increase in the trucking fee brought the Ningbo trucking strike that began last week to an end.  Port truckers are now working to help clear the backlog of freight that has amassed.  Some concessions have been made to shippers to help alleviate costs due to the strike: shipping instruction (SI) cut off times […]

As an update to our notification from yesterday, the Journal of Commerce has reported this morning that some carriers are starting to divert vessels to Shanghai away from Ningbo due to the continued backlog and congestion caused by the ongoing truckers’ strike. Trucks are blocking access to the terminals as well as container depots as […]

Earlier this week, over 100 truck owners went on strike at Ningbo Beilun port.  The key focal point of the strike is trucking freight rates.  Truckers claim rates, which were set by Ningbo Port,  have been stagnant for 8 years and that an increase is necessary due to doubling of diesel prices during this time.  […]

On May 12th, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) began negotiating a new contract covering West Coast dockworkers as the current contract is due to expire on June 30th at midnight.  Details of the labor stoppage negotiations can be found in Shapiro’s Guide to ILWU Labor Negotiations, which provides […]

With volumes running higher than average during comparable time-periods, the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) will resume talks tomorrow (Wednesday, July 22, 2014) after taking a brief hiatus to allow the ILWU to participate in a previously scheduled Longshore Division Caucus in San Francisco.  Although no agreement has […]

International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) workers walked off terminals earlier today at both the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles in a show of support for the Teamsters union picketing action.  The ILWU had previously stated they would not cross picket lines should the Teamster Union choose to take action.  […]

After a tentative sigh of relief from West Coast routed cargo owners, tensions are once again running high as the Teamsters union pickets in L.A./Long Beach.  The Teamsters drivers claim that they were incorrectly classified as independent contractors instead of true employees by trucking companies.  As contractors, the drivers do not receive the same overtime, […]

Waterfront employers and the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) did not reach a contract agreement by the 5 p.m. deadline on July 1.  Despite the lack of contract, both ILWU Labor and PMA (Pacific Maritime Association) have issued a joint-statement that there will be no strike or lockout following the contract expiration as both […]

Journal of Commerce reports have advised that the Brazilian stevedores’ strike has been postponed after the government agreed to negotiate the workers’ list of demands. As reported yesterday, the strike is being used to create awareness of general labor issues within the country and would bring worldwide attention with Brazil hosting the FIFA World Cup beginning on June 12.  The […]

According to Journal of Commerce reports, an indefinite nationwide dockworker strike is set to begin on June 10 unless a resolution is worked out with the Brazilian government. The strike, organized by local union stevedores, is being used to bring awareness to general labor issues within the country.  Some reporters are speculating that the stevedores are attempting to take […]

With the current International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) contract due to expire on June 30th, the ILWU and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) were set to begin negotiations this week on a contract covering West Coast dockworkers. The main topics expected to be covered during contract negotiations are stronger safety provisions, wages, benefits, technology, and […]

As weather forecasters predict the second Arctic deep freeze this month for the Midwest, the environment for cargo operations worsens.  In Chicago, with temperatures today as low as -15F and wind chills reaching -35F, the rail system is already under tremendous strain from a combination of malfunctioning track-side equipment and trucks, holidays, the severe cold […]

On January 22, 2014, the Thai government declared a state of emergency for Bangkok and surrounding areas because of anti-government protests. Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani’s Lat Lum Kaeo district and Samut Prakan’s Bang Phli district are currently affected. The state of emergency will last 60 days (until March 22nd). According to authorities, at least nine […]

According to a message posted on the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s website, most container terminal gates will close Thursday, January 2nd between 16:00 and 17:00 with all container terminal truck gates closed Friday, January 3rd due to the impending snow storm.  The most recent forecast shows snowfall accumulations of 6 – […]

Port of Oakland Truckers Association are planning to walk off the job on Wednesday, Nov. 27th in spite of meeting with various port officials and local industry leaders, including Oakland Mayor Jean Quan. This work action, timed during the busy Thanksgiving holiday week, is expected to result in delays at the port for both inbound […]