An Industry & Informational Update

As of Wednesday morning the Port of Baltimore has shut down all of the port's public marine terminals due to a strike; the port is the 12th largest in the U.S. by container volume. The strike started after members of the International Longshoremen's Association Local 333 voted 517-25 Tuesday night to reject a local contract with the Steamship Trade Association of Baltimore. Baltimore's other three ILA locals stopped working as well rather than cross Local 333's picket lines outside the cargo terminals. 

The ILA agreed to a broader master agreement covering compensation and rules for container and vehicular shipments at all East Coast ports earlier this year. ILA locals in several cities still are negotiating local agreements, but Baltimore is the only port facing a strike. An arbitration meeting is scheduled between striking longshoremen at the Port of Baltimore and management. 

We are closely monitoring the situation and will be updating any clients whose shipments are directly affected. If you have any questions, please contact your move manager, who can provide you with the latest available information.