by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor
With no signs of progress on labour talks, some ports in the US East and Gulf coasts announced extending gate hours this week to facilitate cargo clearance ahead of the potential strike on 1 October.
This measure is part of the contingency plans set up in preparation for a complete work stoppage if the USMX and the ILA fail to reach a deal.
This article provides a brief overview of the measures based on the advisories available so far.
South Carolina Ports: Charleston
Wando and North Charleston Terminals started offering extended gate hours for dry containers on Saturday, 21 September, from 6:00 until 17:00 local time. The port would offer future extended gate hours based on demand.
The authorities also announced that Charleston terminals will continue to receive and deliver all import, export and empty containers through 30 September.
Port of Houston
The Port of Houston published an announcement indicating that Bayport and Barbours Cut container terminals will have extended hours on Saturday, 28 September. Normal operations will continue through 30 September, but ILA-supported public general cargo/multi-purpose facilities will be impacted if the strike occurs.
Meanwhile, the port said it would continue with maintenance and customer support services during the strike.
New York and New Jersey
In an advisory, Beth Rooney, port director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, stressed the importance of picking up import cargo before the end of business (EOB) on Monday, 30 September.
Port operators expect congestion towards the end of this week. As a result, APM Terminals, Maher, and Port Newark Container Terminal have extended gate hours during this period.
Furthermore, Export cargo will not be accepted at any of the terminals unless it can be loaded onto the vessel before the strike starts.
Rooney told CNBC that the port has been involved in discussions with ocean carriers and terminal operators to speed up cargo management before 30 September.
“If there is a strike and operations cease, the vessels would either wait in a designated area or slow steam as they did during Covid to delay their arrival. Once the strike is over the Coast Guard would lead the charge in an orderly flow of vessels entering the port,” Rooney said.
Seaexplorer data shows that, as of 26 September 2024, over 25 container ships are scheduled to arrive at the Port of New York before the strike’s date and 14 ships are scheduled to arrive during the first week of October.
Jacksonville Port
Jacksonville Port announced it will offer extended gate hours (after 16:00 local time) on a pro-rated basis to assist in the clearance of import cargo. Meanwhile, it will continue to receive cargo, reefers and empties until EOB on 30 September.
The strikes are expected to impact about one-third of port business, “particularly international container volumes operated by SSA Jacksonville as well as international vehicle volumes,” the port says.
The port adds that the remaining two-thirds, including Puerto Rico cargo, will continue normally. In addition, it highlighted that all 172 workers directly employed by JAXPORT will continue to work as they are not ILA members.
This means that all JAXPORT main gates and administrative functions will remain open during regular operating hours. Other terminal operators will determine their own working hours.
Virginia and Georgia ports
The Port of Virginia will halt its cargo operations on 30 September, EOB, if the strikes go ahead.
According to the latest update, the steps will include an orderly cessation of cargo operations at Norfolk International Terminals (NIT), Virginia International Gateway (VIG), Newport News Marine Terminal (NNMT), Pinners Point Container Yard (PPCY), Portsmouth Chassis Yard (PCY), Reefer Service Area (RSA), and the Damage Annex.
The trucker Reservation System (TRS) will be closed, and the last inbound train delivery will occur in the early hours of the day.
The port will also secure ship-to-shore cranes and clear berths of cargo and equipment. The port revealed that all reefer units will remain connected to power throughout any work stoppage but will not be monitored.
Similarly, the Georgia Ports Authority advised clients to pick up import containers from Savannah before 1 October to minimise disruptions. It was also announced that weekend gate hours would be provided for that purpose.
Regarding exports, the port clarified that both reefer and dry containers will be accepted until 30 September, EOB.
Moreover, to facilitate the clearance of goods, the gate hours at the Norfolk International Terminal at the Port of Virginia and the Garden City Terminal at the Port of Savannah have been extended for the weekend before 30 September.
