What Is Demurrage? Container Charges, Detention, and Free Time Demurrage is a charge that can apply when an import container remains at a marine terminal beyond its allowed free time. Detention generally applies when the carrier’s container has been collected but is...
What Is a Continuous Customs Bond? A continuous customs bond is a bond used by importers to cover multiple U.S. Customs transactions rather than arranging a separate bond for each applicable shipment. If you regularly import commercial goods into the United States, a...
Buying goods from an overseas supplier is only one part of importing them into the United States. Before the shipment leaves, you need to know whether the product can enter the country, who will act as the importer, what duties or additional tariffs may apply, what...
When deciding whether to ship internationally or domestically, consider why you should use warehousing services. Warehousing is a logistics solution that involves storing goods in a specialized facility. From there, the warehouse can provide many value-added services...
Threats of an ILA walkout are causing the shipping industry to be concerned with the potential impact of a strike. The International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) will stop working on October 1st when their six-year contract ends. Along with higher wages, other issues include benefits and automation. Talks with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) regarding a new contract addressing these concerns have remained unsuccessful. Despite the ILA’s demands, USMX remains unchanged on their current offer. The ILA’s president, Harold Daggett, recently said in an ILA-released video, “Mark my words, well shut them down.” A strike will impact many supply chains that rely on shipping freight internationally.
Due to the ILA’s size, a potential strike can significantly impact the shipping industry differently. The ILA is a union of 45,000 workers in three dozen ports across the East and West Coast. These ports are responsible for approximately 43% of all imports that come into the U.S. The main effect of a strike will be a halt of cargo movement through the ports. As imports and exports stop moving, containers will begin piling, leading to port congestion. Due to congestion, supply chains transporting cargo internationally could experience massive delays in loading and unloading times. A week-long strike may take over five weeks to clear and may even last until 2025.
The disruption from the strike may also impact shipping costs for importers and exporters. When port closures happen, shipping companies raise freight rates due to limited capacity. As vessels pile up in the ports for unloading, it leads to demurrage and detention fees that goes the shipper. To mitigate the delay, more shippers are rerouting their shipments to West Coast ports. Rerouting may become an issue for West Coast ports since it can cause congestion, leading to delays. Similarly, importers could switch to other conveyance methods like land and air. However, this may lead to other expenditures.
Different sectors, like the retail and manufacturing industries, have been mainly concerned with the effect of a strike. These industries are pushing the parties to agree to alleviate a potential multibillion-dollar disruption. With the holiday season quickly approaching, companies have already started taking action. The National Retail Federation (NRF) vice president notes, “Many have taken steps to mitigate the potential impact by bringing in products earlier and frontloading the peak shipping season or by shifting products back to the West Coast.” A fear is that retailers will not be able to stock shelves on time for the holidays. Manufacturers’ assembly lines may also shut down if they do not receive the necessary materials on time.
Other industries, like construction, automotive, and farming, will also feel the impact of a strike. Ports with ILA dockworkers like Houston and Savannah import tons of materials for these industries yearly. On a large scale, the economy will feel the effect, and supply chains globally will also feel the effect. While a potential strike can seem daunting if you are a shipper, it should not stop your cargo’s transport. Reach A1 Worldwide Logistics at info@a1wwl.com or 305-425-9513 for any concerns regarding your shipment. Along with educating you on what to expect, we provide transparency and real-time updates on your cargo’s status.
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