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 […]

Shapiro’s Atlanta and Charleston offices closed at 2:30 pm today due to worsening weather conditions.  Many employees will be working remotely and emails will be monitored for urgent issues. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Charleston closed at 1 pm today and will not reopen until 1 pm tomorrow. We will advise if there is […]

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 – […]

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) opened online registration today at 12:00 pm ET for the 2014 East Coast Trade Symposium.  The event, originally postponed in October due to the government shutdown, will be held on March 6-7, at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, DC. This year’s theme for the symposium will be “Increasing Economic Competitiveness […]

U.S. Customs and Border Protection in JFK has announced a new date for the toys and festive articles seminar that was postponed in October due to the government shutdown. The new date will be Thursday, January 23, 2014 at the Main Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Building 77, JFK Airport. The seminar starts at 9:30 a.m. […]

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 […]

After a shutdown that lasted over two weeks, the U.S. government reopened on Thursday October 17th.  Trade support offices are now open and websites that were previously suspended are now operational, including the Harmonized Tariff Schedule on the International Trade Commission’s site, which seemed to cause the most consternation. The International Trade Administration sent out […]