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.  […]

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a ban on food imports from the United States, Canada and Europe in response to sanctions imposed by those nations. A one year ban has been imposed on beef, poultry, pork, fish, fruit, vegetables, and dairy products. The Obama administration does not foresee much impact on the U.S. economy […]

The United States has moved to impose more sanctions on Russia to address that country’s continuing policy of destabilization in Ukraine and occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol. Today’s Federal Register has a notice adding controls on certain items for use in Russia’s energy sector. A license will now be required to ship certain goods used directly or […]

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 […]

Due to another winter storm that has hit the South, Shapiro’s Atlanta office is closed today, 2/12/14.  We anticipate it will be closed on 2/13/14 as well.  All employees are working remotely and are reachable by email.  For any urgent issues, please do not hesitate to contact: Kathleen Robie, Branch Manager at 678-644-1474 or email [email protected]. […]

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 outlined in our April Shap Talk, new export regulations went into effect on April 5, 2014. These updated regulations encompass reporting an ultimate consignee type, reporting a license value, and declarations for used self-propelled vehicles, port of export, split shipments, post-departure, and household goods. Certain exemptions for Electronic Export Information (EEI) data have been […]

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 […]

Shapiro’s Atlanta office will have a delayed opening at 10 am today due to poor road conditions.  The office will have a skeletal staff while some employees will continue to work remotely.  All employees will continue to be available via email. If you need to reach someone via phone before 10 am, please call Kathleen […]

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 […]

Our Baltimore, Dulles, Philadelphia and New York offices closed at 2 pm today due to worsening weather conditions.  NY has limited phone coverage today until 5 pm while Baltimore, Dulles and Philadelphia will be monitoring emails for urgent issues. We will advise if there is a delay in opening any Shapiro offices tomorrow. Be safe […]