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 […]

As reported yesterday, truckers created a picket like to deter traffic from moving in or out of the Port of Oakland.  The Oakland Police Department was on site to uphold the temporary restraining order issued in order to maintain inbound and outbound deliveries.  The Port of Oakland Truckers Association points to demands for better pay […]

Mumbai’s gateway port is operating at a fraction of its capacity due to continuing discord between port truckers and the port authorities for APM Terminal and Container Corp of India.  Negotiations have stalled after nearly a month of unproductive talks, and the port truckers are using slowdown techniques and no show days to draw attention […]

The P3 Network, a global alliance between the shipping industry’s three largest steamship lines (Maersk, MSC, CMA-CGM), has announced plans to include the Port of Baltimore for their new service which links Asia, the Middle East, the Med, and the US East Coast.  Early outlines and press releases had made no mention of Baltimore, causing […]

Port of Baltimore operations have partially resumed work Friday afternoon under the Master Agreement between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance.  The agreement includes a no-strike provision for specified cargo that ILA Local No. 333 violated when it went on strike Wednesday, October 18th. Currently, the cargo being worked at the […]

As reported yesterday, cargo is not moving out of Seagirt or Maryland International Terminals due to a strike by the International Longshoreman’s Association Local No. 333. The Maryland Port Authority issued the following official statement this morning: “The work stoppage continues.  Arbitration is scheduled for tomorrow between the Steamship Trade Association and labor.  We remain […]

A strike by the International Longshoreman’s Association Local No. 333 has impacted operations at the port of Baltimore. Cargo is not moving out of Seagirt Terminal or Maryland International Terminals. The Baltimore Sun broke the story interviewing Richard Scher, a Maryland Port Administration spokesman, who told the Sun, “This is just the beginning but all […]

The JOC reported yesterday that Egypt has increased security along the Suez Canal after receiving threats that jihadists were planning attacks along the waterway according to United Press International.  It further stated that the army and police have beefed up their presence along the canal and tightened inspections. Security personnel have erected barbed wire and […]

Re:  Speculation over China’s final implementation of Circular Caishui 37’s (“Circular 37”) 6% VAT and how it will be applied. Circular 37 is a proposed tax policy which includes VAT on the “transportation and modern services sector” and which was jointly issued by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the State Administration of Taxation (SAT) […]

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have finally come to an agreement on a six-year contract for East and Gulf Coast dockworkers. This agreement is the culmination of nearly a year’s worth of difficult on-and-off negotiations between the two groups. The ILA’s wage scale committee recommended ratification by the […]

We would like to inform you about the current status of a labor strike at the Hong Kong International Terminals (HIT). HIT, which has a 70% market share in terms of port handling volumes, operates five terminals out of a total 9 berths (with 16 deep water ship berths) at the Kwai Chung Terminal Port […]