ILA DOCKWORKERS ON STRIKE The 2024 International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) dockworker strike has thrown U.S. ports into a state of uncertainty, creating significant ripple effects across global supply chains. As contract negotiations between the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) reached a stalemate, the strike was launched on [...]
HELENE: STRONG WINDS AND FLOODING DESTROYS ROADS AND HOMES IN THE U.S. SOUTHEAST AND GULF COASTS Last week, Hurricane Helene rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane, bringing sustained winds that reached 130 mph as it approached the U.S. Gulf Coast. The storm made landfall on September 26, 2024, unleashing [...]
HELENE UPDATES - SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 Helene continues to disrupt critical infrastructure across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and now Virginia, affecting ports, airports, railroads, and power grids. Ports Port Tampa Bay: Remains closed for all vessel traffic due to high winds. Landside operations continue in a limited capacity, [...]
The International Longshoreman Association's (ILA) contract with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) will expire on September 30, 2024, and without a new agreement, a strike could begin on October 1, 2024. This would have widespread impacts on ports along the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast, which collectively handle over 50% of U.S. [...]
In a recent statement, over 200 organizations (Coalition) raised concerns with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson urging them to reconsider the potential impacts of the South coast Air Quality Management District's (SCAQMD) proposed Indirect Source Rule (ISR) for marine ports. These organizations represent national, [...]
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) recently announced that the U.S. is set to increase tariffs on a range of Chinese imports through phased hikes over the next several years. Starting September 27, 2024, tariffs on electric vehicles, EV batteries, solar cells, needles, syringes, face masks, critical [...]
The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced plans to tighten regulations on the de minimis exemption, a rule that allows goods valued at $800 or less to enter the United States without duties, taxes, or extensive documentation. These changes seek to curb the flow of duty-free textile and apparel imports from China. [...]
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) remain stymied in contract negotiations. This contract, originally signed in 2018, is set to expire on September 30, 2024. Shippers, vessel owners, importers, and exporters anxiously await resolution as both sides work toward a resolution while a threat [...]
COLOMBIAN TRUCKERS STRIKE, SET UP ROADBLOCKS IN PROTEST OF DIESEL FUEL HIKE Demonstrations, protests, and blockades ground the transportation industry to a near-halt in Colombia this week. Anger over a government price hike on diesel fuel triggered the labor unrest which included truckers going on strike and setting up blockades [...]
YANG MING CONTAINER BLAST An explosion rocked Yang Ming-owned container ship YM Mobility on Friday, August 9, 2024, at 1:40 PM local time. The blast occurred while the vessel was berthed at the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan. No casualties were reported and the cause of the blast is still under investigation. [...]
