Breaking: Information Regarding Potential ILA Strike to Effect Port Trading

We have been informed of a potential labor stoppage to occur as a result of the ILA-USMX contract expiring at the end of this month, September 30th, 2024. Concerns regarding detention and demurrage, length of stoppage, and its consequent effects are still unclear but are to be answered and instructions disseminated when/if the stoppage were to occur.

The NYNJFF&BA, along with 156 other trade associations, have already signed on a letter to be sent to the Biden Administration tomorrow expressing their deep concern over damage to the supply chain and the economy that would result on accounts of this strike; appealing for support to keep the parties negotiating to find an agreement as well as calling for intervention "if a strike or other action occurs that leads to a coastwide shutdown or disruption."

We as a carrier company will continue to do our best to ensure business runs as smoothly as possible, but cannot make guarantees in light of this potential situation. We, as all other businesses that require the flow of work from the ports, are simply awaiting instruction and will continue to keep our clients updated.

Please see instructions from SFCT below

This set of instructions may be used as a general guideline for any terminal/depot working on the East and Gulf coast

Please be advised that in the unfortunate event of a labor disruption, we will be planning the following:

•       Friday 9/27: last day to receive export dry and export reefer for vessels working prior to 09/30

o       We will not receive exports for any vessels arriving after 9/30

•       Saturday 9/28: open full gate from 0800 to 1700 for dry/reefer/damages

o       Note: last day to pick up dry imports and return dry empties.

•       Monday 9/30: open gate for import reefer pickup and empty reefer return ONLY.

•       Monday 9/30: vessel operations to cease at 1800, and vessel will be urged to depart

•       Tuesday 10/1: Anticipated work stoppage.  SFCT will not be liable for any live reefer containers remaining on terminal during the labor disruption.  The reefers will be plugged in but not monitored.

o       SFCT strongly suggests picking up all live reefers by 9/30.

•       Containers in free time will stay in free time until terminal is open again for deliveries.

•       Containers that are already in demurrage (calendar days per the tariff) will stay into demurrage until terminal is open again for deliveries.

We hope that the above is not needed and we will let everyone know if anything changes or if anything changes to the above.  We appreciate your business and thank you in advance.