Port strikes at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports limited terminal operations on Tuesday, heightening fears of the disruption’s duration and impact.
The International Longshoremen’s Association began a strike shortly after 12 a.m. ET on Tuesday after the union's master contract with the United States Maritime Alliance, or USMX, ended. While both the ILA and USMX had exchanged counteroffers 24 hours before the strike was set to start, the union rejected a wage package, calling it insufficient.
“The ILA intends for the demonstrations to continue round the clock, 24/7, for as long as it takes for United States Maritime Alliance to meet the demands of ILA rank-and-file members,” the ILA said in a statement on Tuesday.
Upon announcing the strike, the union said it would "shut down all ports from Maine to Texas." In response, Supply Chain Dive contacted several major ports on the East Coast and Gulf Coast to clarify their operating status. As the day wore on, it became clear that while the strike would have widespread effects, some ports were still processing select goods.
Here is what we learned about the status of several East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, as of Tuesday afternoon.
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
The port told Supply Chain Dive that any terminal that uses ILA labor to move containers is shut down, referencing the list of container terminals on their website. Union social media posts show members picketing at several terminals, including Port Newark Container Terminal, APM Terminals and Maher Terminals.
In an Oct. 1 update, the port said "due to the ILA strike all container and automobile related terminals, depots and rail yards are closed."
Port Houston
Port Houston's Bayport and Barbours Cut container terminals are closed for container handling services, a spokesperson told Supply Chain Dive.
Georgia Ports Authority
The port did not specify which terminals were open or closed, but a spokesperson said: “We are respecting the contract negotiation process with our ports closed today.”
The Port of Virginia
The East Coast port said the following facilities would remain closed until an agreement is reached, in an Oct. 1 update:
- Norfolk International Terminals
- Virginia International Gateway
- Newport News Marine Terminal
- Pinners Point Container Yard
- Portsmouth Chassis Yard
- Reefer Service Area
- The Damage Annex
However, the offices of the Virginia Port Authority, Virginia International Terminals and Hampton Roads Chassis Pool II are open in accordance with their regular schedules. Richmond Marine Terminal, Portsmouth Marine Terminal and Virginia Inland Port will also continue to operate, though cargo operations will be impacted.
The Port of Virginia said it will continue to provide live updates and stay in contact with customers and partners on the status of its operations.
South Carolina Ports Authority
South Carolina Ports Authority’s marine terminals are closed until further notice, according to an update shared on Oct. 1.
“Following the break in operations, SC Ports and our maritime industry partners will marshal every resource possible to facilitate the swift recovery of business. Measures will be implemented based on terminal operating conditions and need, as well as the duration of the interruption,” the port said.
Jacksonville Port Authority
“All of JAXPORT’s terminal operators are open except for one, SSA Jacksonville. SSA is closed today due to the strike,” a port spokesperson told Supply Chain Dive.
Port Everglades
At Port Everglades, a few terminals were affected by the strike: the privately operated Florida International Terminal and Mediterranean Shipping Company/Port Everglades Terminal LLC, a spokesperson said, but the port remains open for business.
“We have cargo from petroleum to cement to aggregate materials still moving, among other cargo. Also, our cruises will still sail,” the spokesperson added.
PortMiami
Port of Miami Terminal Operating Company and South Florida Container Terminal are closed, while Seaboard Marine is open.
On Tuesday morning, there were a total of 150 to 200 workers at the port's two First Amendment zones, a spokesperson told Supply Chain Dive via email
The First Amendment zones were designated by the port as areas where ILA members could exercise their right to strike and picket without impairing port access or operations.
Port of Baltimore
The strike is impacting six public marine terminals at the Port of Baltimore managed by the Maryland Port Administration, a spokesperson said.
North Carolina Ports
Brian Clark, executive director at the North Carolina Ports, provided Supply Chain Dive with the following operational update:
- The Port of Wilmington’s south container gate will be closed for the pickup or delivery of cargo until an agreement is reached.
- The Charlotte Inland Port is operating as normal.
- No general cargo vessel operations will be conducted until further notice.
- There will also be no intermodal rail cargo worked on or off of the rail at the Port of Wilmington during the strike.
Still, general cargo operations at the Port of Wilmington’s North Gate and the Port of Morehead City will be operating on a normal schedule, he added. Tenant operations and general cargo yard operations will also continue as normal for both ports.
Port of Boston
Conley Container Terminal is down, a spokesperson said on a call with Supply Chain Dive.
Alabama Port Authority
APM Terminal at Port of Mobile is the only container terminal not working, a spokesperson said.
The Port of Mobile is both a landlord and an operating port with several different types of terminals, the spokesperson added.
The Port of Philadelphia
Below is the list of terminals that are currently not operational, according to a port spokesperson:
- Packer Avenue Marine Terminal
- Tioga Marine Terminal
- Pier 122
- Pier 80
Maine Port Authority
A port spokesperson advised Supply Chain Dive to contact ILA local 861 or the ILA’s chief of staff and director of public relations Jim McNamara.
The union did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.
Port Tampa Bay
“Ports America, the container terminal operator at Port Tampa Bay, and a member of USMX, has been in communication with their customers that are impacted by the strike,” a spokesperson said.
When asked, the port did not specify which terminals or port operations were impacted by the strike.
Port Wilmington
The Delaware port did not respond to a request for comment by time of publication.
