Important Notes - The Impending ILA Strike

Please note that the impending East & Gulf Coast port strike on December 30, 2012, may affect your future ocean bookings. Should the strike occur, cargo may be held at anchor by the steamship line or may be diverted to other US or foreign ports under force majeure. In the event of a diversion, the cargo owner is responsible to move the goods to their final destination. Liberty can offer its clients West Coast and Canada port contingency options for your shipments. Should you wish to explore these options, please contact your Liberty sales or service representative.

All bookings for cargo tendered to the steamship lines on or after December 30, 2012, are subject to a Port Congestion Surcharge (PCS) in the event of a strike. Port Congestion Surcharges average at about $1000/40', but vary by steamship line. Likewise, each liner has a different policy regarding whether the PCS applies to cargo routed to and over West Coast and Canada ports as well as East and Gulf Coast ports. It is unlikely, however, that you will be able to avoid the PCS by shipping over the West Coast US and Canada ports.

During a strike, congestion on both coasts will become an immediate concern as will availability of equipment and space at origin. Advance bookings and flexibility with respect to transit times will be essential. Carriers retain the right to further slow steam sailings (extending transit times), cancel sailings without notice, postpone sailings and add ports to a rotation. Transit times will surely extend and become extremely unreliable.

We understand that all of these circumstances present our clients with enormous challenges and we are committed to working closely with you to achieve the best possible results.

Liberty will continue to keep you advised as more information becomes available.