MARKET BRIEF | March 2023
Port Clerical Worker Contract Negotiations Underway
Clerical workers of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and the shipping lines and terminal operators that employ them, have begun contact talks. The workers are represented by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 63 Office Clerical Unit. Their current deal expires June 30. If complications with the negotiations arise, there would be the potential to disrupt the flow of cargo. Although the sides are optimistic about a new deal, it is likely that it might not get done until the ILWU and Pacific Maritime Association reach their own deal on a new contract for West Coast longshoremen. One of the major issues includes the outsourcing of clerical jobs to workers in other states, since the processing of shipping documentation does not necessarily have to take place on-site. More to come.
Updates on Vessel Wait Times
Vessels continue to be pushed further off the schedule. This has been caused by blank sailings, port congestion, and the continuous increase of import volume over the past two years. Here are the latest vessel wait times across U.S ports:
East Coast:
- New York/New Jersey – 1 day
- Norfolk – 1 day
Southeast:
- Savannah – 1 day
- Charleston – 3 days
- Miami/Port Everglades – 2-4 days
Gulf Coast:
- Houston – 1-2 days
West Coast:
- Los Angeles/Long Beach – 4 days
- Seattle – 2 days
- Oakland – 3-5 days
What Happens to Containers Lost at Sea?
According to a study commission by the World Shipping Council, an average of 568 containers per year were lost between 2008 and 2016. (This figure did not include containers sunk by catastrophic events, such as a ship sinking or running aground, and shipwrecks.) Most containers rapidly sink to the ocean floor once they go overboard. However, depending on their contents, they can stay afloat for days, or even weeks. And it takes even longer for refrigerated containers to sink because of their insulation makes them buoyant. It has been estimated that at least 12,000 containers are completely sunken or floating in the world’s seas. Containers that have not yet sunk pose a risk to smaller vessels, such as yachts and fishing boats, because they are not clearly visible, since they barely break the ocean surface.
Aeronet San Francisco Upgrades to Larger Facility
Aeronet Worldwide’s San Francisco operation has made a short move in order to upgrade, not only it’s warehouse capacity, but also its office space. The nearly 84,000 square foot facility represents an increase of about seven times their previous building. This allows Aeronet more space and more resources for logistics services, such as storage, transloading, eCommerce fulfillment, and distribution. The new facility is located … READ MORE
