Several ports along the U.S. East and Gulf coasts have announced contingency plans in response to a potential dockworker strike starting October 1, 2024. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) has stated it will not extend its current contract with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) after it expires on September 30.

The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) is offering extra hours on weekends for cargo retrieval, but its Garden City Terminal will close if a strike happens. The port will accept export containers until September 30 but will not monitor or maintain reefer boxes that do not make it onto a ship by that day should the port close. The GPA said it would not charge terminal demurrage to shippers during a work stoppage.

The Port of Houston plans to open truck gates and work on vessels until 7 p.m. on September 30 and urged for imports to be picked before then. Houston said it would waive an import dwell fee for containers. The Port of Virginia will have its two main container terminals and container yard open for the next two Saturdays and the Sunday before the potential strike.

Ocean carriers such as Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM have announced surcharges effective from mid-October for cargo affected by the strike. From October 18, Hapag-Lloyd will charge a $1,000 per TEU “work disruption surcharge” on non-Asia exports headed to the US East and Gulf coasts. CMA CGM will charge an additional $1,500 per TEU for cargo destined to East and Gulf coast ports effective October 11.

Source: Journal of Commerce