G6 Alliance Halts Los Angeles Port CallG6 Alliance Halts Los Angeles Port Call
The G6 alliance announced late last week the removal of its eastbound Los Angeles port of call from their Pacific Atlantic 1 service (PA1) from rotation citing severe US West Coast port congestion. The G6 alliance of carriers includes: Hapag-Lloyd (who announced their merger with CSAV), NYK, APL, OOCL, MOL and Hyundai Merchant Marine. Hapag-Lloyd’s […]
Continue Reading »Port Congestion SurchargePort Congestion Surcharge
Multiple carriers have begun announcing the implementation of port congestion fees. Many carriers filed this surcharge in their tariffs as protection against increased operating costs associated with extreme congestion at terminals. With the ILWU contract still not settled and mounting congestion and delays not only in Los Angeles/Long Beach but also in the Pacific Northwest, […]
Continue Reading »Carriers Postpone Port Congestion Surcharges (Again) Until Further NoticeCarriers Postpone Port Congestion Surcharges (Again) Until Further Notice
The port congestion surcharge (PCS) that has been threatening West Coast trade since mid-November has once again been suspended until further notice. Major carriers such as Maersk, Hapag Lloyd, Evergreen, NYK, OOCL, and CMA-CGM sent out notification today, November 26, 2014, announcing the postponement. The congestion charge, originally implemented on November 14, has been on […]
Continue Reading »Carriers Reinstate West Coast Port Congestion Surcharge Amidst Delayed ILWU/PMA Labor Talks
Despite multiple attempts from the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) to convince the International Longshore Warehouse Union (ILWU) to resume “big table” negotiations, the ILWU has postponed talks until no sooner than December 2, 2014. During this time, the union will be participating in subcommittee negotiations dealing mostly with local issues. Neither the PMA nor the […]
Continue Reading »The FMC Rebuts Port Congestion Surcharges Imposed by CarriersThe FMC Rebuts Port Congestion Surcharges Imposed by Carriers
As we previously published on November 14, 2014, multiple carriers had announced the implementation of port congestion fees as protection against increased operating costs associated with extreme congestion at terminals. On November 17, 2014, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a statement noting that carriers cannot properly assess any congestion or other surcharges on cargo […]
Continue Reading »Deteriorating ILWU/PMA Negotiations Threaten West Coast TradeDeteriorating ILWU/PMA Negotiations Threaten West Coast Trade
Congestion at the terminals of Seattle, Tacoma, Los Angeles, and Long Beach continues to worsen as both the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) appear to be no closer to resolving their ongoing labor dispute. The PMA issued a new statement yesterday alleging that the ILWU is withholding skilled labor, […]
Continue Reading »PMA accuses ILWU of causing slowdowns in Seattle, TacomaPMA accuses ILWU of causing slowdowns in Seattle, Tacoma
Both the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) issued conflicting statements yesterday regarding an alleged slow down by dock workers in the ports of Seattle and Tacoma. The PMA alluded that the union was engaging in slowdown tactics at the terminals in order to put pressure on the ongoing negotiations […]
Continue Reading »Vessels Backed up for Days off the Ports of Los Angeles/Long BeachVessels Backed up for Days off the Ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach
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 […]
Continue Reading »Severe Chassis and Labor Shortages Plague LA-Long Beach PortSevere Chassis and Labor Shortages Plague LA-Long Beach Port
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.
Continue Reading »Port of Los Angeles Resumes OperationsPort of Los Angeles Resumes Operations
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. […]
Continue Reading »Toxic Port of Los Angeles Fire Suspends Cargo OperationsToxic Port of Los Angeles Fire Suspends Cargo Operations
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 […]
Continue Reading »ILWU and PMA Reach Tentative Health Benefits AgreementILWU and PMA Reach Tentative Health Benefits Agreement
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 […]
Continue Reading »Ningbo Trucker Strike Ends with Increased RatesNingbo Trucker Strike Ends with Increased Rates
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 […]
Continue Reading »Ningbo Trucker Strike UpdateNingbo Trucker Strike Update
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 […]
Continue Reading »Ningbo Trucker Strike Turns ViolentNingbo Trucker Strike Turns Violent
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. […]
Continue Reading »Update on ILWU Contract Negotiations and Strike Contingency PlansUpdate on ILWU Contract Negotiations and Strike Contingency Plans
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 […]
Continue Reading »ILWU Talks to Resume TomorrowILWU Talks to Resume Tomorrow
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 […]
Continue Reading »ILWU Shows of Support for Teamsters While Ordered Back to Work After Walk OffILWU Shows of Support for Teamsters While Ordered Back to Work After Walk Off
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. […]
Continue Reading »Teamster Picketing Adds Complications to Port of LA/LB Operations during ILWU Contract NegotiationsTeamster Picketing Adds Complications to Port of LA/LB Operations during ILWU Contract Negotiations
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, […]
Continue Reading »LA/LB Port Strike Averted Despite Lack of ContractLA/LB Port Strike Averted Despite Lack of Contract
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 […]
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