Gridlock at West Coast ports is at an all-time high. The pressure is mounting as the ILWU and PMA continue to battle through the contract negotiations with no forseeable progress. Recently, the PMA released a statement blaming the ILWU for exerting a series of slowdowns to pressure employers at the bargaining table. They also defended their own involvement as simply trying to counter the backlog of cargo that has continued to grow on the West Coast.
Terminal workers at West Coast ports resumed the daytime shifts yesterday after suspending work on Monday, but more vessels are skipping sailings or delaying arrivals due to the seemingly never-ending congestion. Many of our members are looking at re-routing through the Gulf and East Coast ports. Should you need contingency planning, please contact WSSA or your Albatrans sales representative.
Did you know cargo insurance is unregulated and no two policies are the same? Did you also know that the WSSA cargo insurance policy has some of the broadest coverage available? We will provide an in-depth analysis of coverage including required clauses and pitfalls to look out for in the policies of your trading partners.
The trucker's union in France has gone on strike and completely blocked access to the freight area in Bordeaux, Bruges. Since early this morning no truck or container has been able to get in or out.
Following the Christmas and New Year's holidays, the congestion on the West Coast has continued to get worse through every facet of the supply chain. All West Coast ports are feeling the impact from Seattle/Tacoma down to Los Angeles/Long Beach. It is common for ships to remain at anchor for days waiting for their containers to be unloaded.
