Along with our clients, the U-Freight Group breathed a sigh of relief with the speedy conclusion of United States port strike last week, but some delays are being experienced as ports sort through the backlog of queued ships.
October 4 saw a tentative agreement reached between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) for extension of the current master contract, ending the strikes which temporarily shut down ports from Maine to Texas.
Despite lasting only three days, a backlog of over 50 vessels lined up outside ports that were affected by the strike, prevented from unloading, as more vessels continue to arrive daily.
Ocean analytics platform Xeneta anticipates it could take between two to three weeks for the flow of goods to return to normal levels.
The ILA and USMX tentatively agreed to a 62% wage increase over six years to end the strike, agreeing to extend the current contract to January 15, 2025 to allow the ports to reopen.
The ILA is expected to push the issue of automation to the USMX, with the union calling for a halt on port automation projects that it fears would replace the jobs of its members.
The U-Freight Group remains committed to helping clients manage the difficult situations facing container shipping at present and mitigate where possible additional costs incurred. Our ocean freight team will endeavour to keep in close contact with all clients to provide updates on specific movements.
For more information about our ocean freight forwarding and logistics services into and from the USA, please visit the relevant pages of this website, or contact your local office, which can be seen here:
https://www.ufreight.com/en/location