The head of the American Apparel and Footwear Association is urging the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) to continue negotiating with the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) to reach a labor agreement before the current one expires Jan. 15.
The possibility of a double whammy come January consisting of a strike at East and Gulf coast ports and the implementation of President-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariffs (see 2411250034) is making shippers nervous, with the National Retail Federation saying that the scenarios could result in a "continued surge in imports through next spring."
The Federal Maritime Commission is asking the parties to a West Coast ocean shipping and port agreement to provide more information about their alliance before an updated version takes effect, it said in a notice released this week.
Uncertainties over labor negotiations affecting U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, plus concerns over tariffs proposed by President-elect Donald Trump (see 2411060037), could result in a higher volume of U.S. imports in the coming weeks, the National Retail Federation said Nov. 8.
The American Chemistry Council said that 90% of liquid chemicals imported and exported go through ports that are closed by the dockworkers strike. "The chemicals that are shipped to and from these ports are used by every segment of the world's economy, including chemistry needed to support healthcare, advanced energy, agriculture, auto manufacturing, building and construction, household products, aerospace and defense, semiconductor chips and electronics, and more," the trade group said. The imports and exports in 2022 were worth more than $100 billion.
More than 270 trade associations, including importers, exporters, logistics providers, manufacturers, retailers, farmers and more asked the president Oct. 2 to immediately reopen the ports and get the two sides talking with the help of a federal mediator. President Joe Biden has issued a statement that suggests he sides with the strikers, and his press secretary said he would not invoke the Taft-Hartley Act to force an end to the strike.
A labor strike at U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports appears poised to occur just after midnight on Oct. 1, despite any last-ditch efforts as of press time to prevent the strike from occurring.
As the U.S. supply chain readies itself for a potential labor strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports on Oct. 1, CBP and transportation and logistics providers are helping the trade community develop their Plan Bs.
The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, along with more than 175 trade organizations, have asked President Joe Biden to urge the United States Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen’s Association to resume negotiations for a new labor agreement before Oct. 1, the date that ILA members might go on strike at container terminals at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports.
Houston's sea ports and airports are asking shippers that use the region to be patient as it recovers from Hurricane Beryl, according to a July 12 email sent by the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America to its members.