19/09/2024

Strike threat at USA East Coast and Gulf Coast ports

The ILA (International Longshoreman Association) contract expires 30.9.2024. Since there have been no negotiations since June, it seems likely that a strike will happen. When possible strikes come into effect, they will significantly affect supply chains and cause delays for goods passing through the East- and Gulf coast ports.

A potential strike would close nearly all ports on the USA East Coast and Gulf Coast at midnight on September 30, 2024.

There hasn't been a strike since 1977 in the USA East and Gulf Coast ports.
President Biden has publicly stated that he will not invoke the Taft-Hartley Act, which would have required an 80-day cooling-off period and workers returning to the ports.

It is expected that many ports will increase port hours on September 28th and 29th to allow as much cargo as possible to be picked up before October 1st.

Many shipping companies no longer accept export bookings for ships departing after October 1st. They are worried about the congestion of containers at the ports if the strike starts.

The strike is not expected to affect shipments arriving or departing through USA West Coast or Canadian ports.

We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide more information on the subject in the light of new information.