Update On Us East/Gulf Coast Port Strike

As of today, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the US Maritime Association (USMX) have been unable to agree on a new contract before the September 30th deadline.

Barring an agreement before the deadline, dockworkers at US East and Gulf Coast ports are scheduled to strike on Tuesday, October 1. Efforts to avert a strike have failed to reach a solution, and port terminals have begun implementing contingency plans. Though these plans vary by port and terminal, generally gate hours are being extended to facilitate import containers being pulled off-pier prior to October 1.

Compass is working with import clients to minimize the impact of the strike by pulling as many containers off affected ports as possible before the terminals cease operations. We are also supporting our export clients with alternative routings for their cargo to avoid strike-affected ports.

For time-sensitive cargo, our airfreight team is standing by ready to assist customers with expediting options by air.

An increase in market rates across different modes of transportation in the US should be expected over the coming weeks due to the fallout of the strike.

Compass will continue monitoring this and supporting our customers and partners through these challenging times.