More turmoil is coming from the labor talks on the US West Coast between the ILWU and PMA as some union members have stopped working, causing a slowdown in throughput. While no official action has been taken and no statements made, the undercurrent of dissatisfaction with their current contract still frustrates the dockworkers. Creating solutions to avoid delays and disruption should be the paramount concern for shippers as we move toward a defined peak season for the first time in years.
The Los Angeles and Long Beach port complex is a spectacular example of how much cargo passes through the border yearly. While they get backed up, no other place can play catch up as fast. Those same volumes cause issues when diverted to the East and Gulf ports. The key isn’t to try and predict where the disruption will hit but to build resilience and efficiency into your logistics plan as a bulwark against delays.
We at Coppersmith consistently advise against throwing out the cargo with the bathwater, understanding that unbalanced markets are seldom solved by complete revamping. If a full, ILWU-sanctioned strike takes place, it’s expected that the Federal Government will have to step in to force both sides to come together and find a solution, albeit temporarily at first, to keep cargo flowing through the ports.
Your logistics plan should include the expertise and knowledge of a seasoned logistics company, and after almost eighty years, Coppersmith has seen it all. We know how to proactively prepare for cargo delays by looking at new routings, checking alternative carriers, and pivoting to other modalities if urgency strikes.
Our full-service approach to your cargo means you have the decades of knowledge we have built ready to deploy for you. If you want to feel the difference that comes with wisdom, contact your Coppersmith representative today.
