🚢📦 Is a wave of imports about to hit U.S. ports? Importers and retailers say yes! With a 90-day break in the U.S.–China tariff war, businesses are racing to frontload shipments before the pause ends.
Port Labor Talks Are Resuming
With the January 15th deadline looming, dockworkers and employers are back at the table. The ILA is pushing for fair wages and fighting port automation.
Container Imports To Increase
📦📈 Container imports are on the rise, and it’s shaping up to be a big year for global trade! 🌍 According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), January 2025 is forecasted to bring in 2.2 million more TEUs compared to January 2024. 🚢
Strike Lowering Spot Rates
With the ILA’s potential strike looming on October 1st, shipping spot rates are dropping for East Coast ports. The union plans to halt operations after their contract expires on September 30th, pushing for higher wages, better pensions, and opposing port automation.
The Potential Impact of A Strike
The shipping industry is bracing for a potential ILA strike as contract talks stall ahead of the October 1st deadline. The International Longshoremen’s Association is pushing for higher wages, better benefits, and restrictions on automation, but negotiations with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have hit a standstill. If no agreement is reached, major port disruptions could follow.
Strikes in East Coast Ports
With recent talks of potential strikes rising, what can this mean for international shipping, and how can you prepare?