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☆ U.S. trade dominates Panama Canal traffic. 'Severe' drought is threatening the long-term future of the century-old shipping route
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Forty percent of all U.S. container traffic travels through the Panama Canal every year, which in all, moves roughly $270 billion cargo annually. "The U.S. is the main the main source and destination of our traffic," said Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, administrator of the Panama Canal Administrator. The Panama Canal is popular for East Coast trade because it is faster than other options. Traveling through the Panama Canal, which is more expensive, takes only 35 days. The U.S. is the largest country to move energy commodities through the Panama Canal, including natural gas.

Persons: Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, Vásquez, Luis Acosta Organizations: Gulf, Panama Canal, East, Agriculture Transportation Coalition, CNBC, LNG Allies, Panama, Afp, Getty, Panama Canal Authority Locations: Panama, East Coast, U.S, Shenzhen, China, Miami , Florida, Suez, New Orleans, Mobile , Alabama, Colon province, Panama City

☆ New Senate legislation seeks to revise national labor law, targeting port union workers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The legislation, sponsored by Idaho Republican Senator Jim Risch, would amend the National Labor Relations Act and the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947 to deter labor slowdowns and prohibit labor organizations from blocking the modernization of ports. It estimated a more widespread strike along the West Coast could cost approximately $1 billion per day. The recent union workers slowdowns impacted key transportation operations, including truckers, the freight rails and ocean vessels. As a result of the slowdowns, $5.2 billion in cargo was stuck off the West Coast ports. "The PLUS Act takes the important step of making intentional labor slowdowns an unfair labor practice.

Persons: slowdowns, Jim Risch, Ted Budd, Mike Crapo, Biden's, Julie Su, Risch, Biden, AB5, Budd, Crapo Organizations: Warehouse Union, Senate, Idaho Republican, National Labor Relations, Labor Management Relations, Pacific Maritime Association, U.S . Chamber, Commerce, Union Pacific, CNBC, Labor, California Labor, Workforce Agency, Capitol, Big Labor Locations: West Coast, West, Idaho, U.S, Los Angeles, Long, Port, Seattle, United States, North

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) employer group declined comment. Manufacturers, automakers and food producers which import or export goods also rely on the West Coast ports. "We urge the parties to quickly ratify the tentative agreement to bring certainty back to the West Coast ports," Shay said. Many of the ports' customers shifted a portion of their cargo to ocean trade gateways on the East Coast and Gulf Coast to avoid potential slowdowns from the Pacific Coast labor talks. After 72 hours, the ILWU and PMA hammered out a deal and credited Su with assisting in the efforts.

Persons: Labor Julie Su, Joe Biden, Suzanne Clark, Matthew Shay, Shay, Su, Lisa Baertlein, Barbara Lewis, Grant McCool, Deepa Babington Organizations: ANGELES, U.S ., Labor, Wall Street, Warehouse Union, Pacific Maritime Association, Biden, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, Walmart, Manufacturers, National Retail Federation, Pacific, PMA, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, U.S . West Coast, West Coast, U.S, COVID, West, East Coast, Gulf, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle, Washington

June 14 (Reuters) - The Longshore union and employers of 22,000 dockworkers at U.S. West Coast ports on Wednesday said they have reached a tentative deal on a new six-year contract, ending 13 months of talks and easing supply chain worries. "The tentative agreement delivers important stability for workers, for employers and for our country's supply chain," Su said in a statement on Wednesday. The tentative deal comes as retailers like Walmart (WMT.N) and Target (TGT.N) are starting to land merchandise for the critical back-to-school, Halloween and Christmas retail shopping seasons. Manufacturers, automakers and food producers who import or export goods also rely on the Pacific Coast ports. West Coast port market share dipped after some customers shifted cargo to rival East Coast and Gulf Coast ports to avoid potential labor disruptions during the negotiations.

Persons: Julie Su, Joe Biden, Su, James McKenna, Willie Adams, Gene Seroka, Lisa Baertlein, Kanjyik Ghosh, Christopher Cushing, Michael Perry, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: ., U.S, Labor, Warehouse Union, Pacific Maritime Association, ILWU International, West Coast, Los Angeles, Walmart, Manufacturers, East, Port of Los Angeles, Twitter, Thomson Locations: . West Coast, San Francisco, California, Washington State, Long, United States, West Coast, East Coast, Gulf Coast, Panama, China, Port of, Los Angeles, Bengaluru

☆ Tentative agreement ends worker slowdowns and stoppages that crippled West Coast ports
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A tentative deal between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union was announced Wednesday night, ending 14 days of worker slowdowns and stoppages that crippled port productivity. The new contract is for six years and will cover workers at all 29 West Coast ports. "We are also pleased to turn our full attention back to the operation of the West Coast Ports." In a landslide vote, ILWU Canada workers authorized a strike at Canadian West Coast ports as early as June 24. Correction: A tentative deal between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union was announced Wednesday night.

Persons: slowdowns, James McKenna, Willie Adams, Labor Julie Su, Su Organizations: Pacific Maritime Association, Warehouse Union, West Coast Ports, Labor, CNBC, SSA, Logistics, Canadian Locations: Coast, San Francisco, California, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, The, Seattle's, Port, Seattle, Canada, Canadian West, Panama, East Coast

☆ For ILWU, West Coast port deal to be union-ratified, here's what has to happen next
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Eric Rosenbaum | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

But the proposed labor deal is a far way from being fully approved, according to the International Longshore & Warehouse Union. "The ILWU is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with PMA last night," said a statement from ILWU President Willie Adams on Thursday afternoon. "These delegates will carefully review the tentative agreement and make a recommendation to the rank and file who will then vote on the tentative agreement," Adams said. "We will not be sharing details of the tentative agreement publicly until we have completed the ratification process," he stated. President Biden nominated Acting Secretary Su on February 28 to replace Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who stepped down in March.

Persons: Julie Su, Willie Adams, Adams, Labor Su, Biden, Su, Marty Walsh, Price Rupert, CNBC's Lori Ann LaRocco Organizations: Biden, Labor, Warehouse Union, PMA, Pacific Maritime Association, United Mine Workers, AFL, Senate, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, ILWU, U.S . Locations: West Coast, California, San Francisco, Seattle, West, Vancouver, U.S . West Coast, Panama, East Coast

☆ Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union reach tentative labor agreement
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Vanessa Yurkevich | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union reached a tentative agreement Wednesday after more than a year of negotiations. The new six year deal covers workers at all 29 West Coast Ports and comes after worker stoppages that closed various West Coast port terminals in recent weeks. The deal was reached with assistance from Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su who met with both sides earlier this week, the PMA and the ILWU said in a joint statement. Details of the deal will not be released and is subject to ratification. “We are also pleased to turn our full attention back to the operation of the West Coast Ports,” they said.

Persons: Julie Su, ” James McKenna, Willie Adams Organizations: CNN, Pacific Maritime Association, Warehouse Union, Coast Ports, Labor, West Coast Ports Locations: West Coast

☆ ILWU Canada workers authorize strike in landslide vote, a 'significant blow' to West Coast ports
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

In a landslide vote, over 99% of ILWU Canada union workers critical for West Coast port operations, including in Vancouver and Prince Rupert, voted in favor of supporting a strike. The biggest port to be affected is the Port of Vancouver, the largest port in Canada. It is estimated that Canadian West Coast ports handle almost $225 billion worth of cargo a year, with items transported by rail including many consumer products, from apparel to electronics and home goods. The threat of a strike is occurring as labor tensions have escalated at U.S. West Coast ports. "This is a significant blow to operations on the West Coast," said Paul Brashier, vice president of drayage and intermodal at ITS Logistics.

Persons: Prince Rupert, Port of Prince Rupert, Prince Rupert Port Authority's, Brian Friesen, Berkshire Hathaway, Port, slowdowns, Paul Brashier, Adil Ashiq Organizations: ILWU, British Maritime Employers Association, Federal Maritime Conciliation, Port, Vancouver, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, U.S, BNSF, U.S ., Pacific Maritime Association, ITS Logistics, Cargo, MarineTraffic, CNBC Locations: ILWU Canada, West Coast, Vancouver, of Vancouver, Canada, Canadian, Vancouver Fraser, U.S, Port of Vancouver, Port of, West, CN, Canadian Pacific, Berkshire, U.S . West Coast, Port, Seattle, Midwest, Chicago, Panama, East, North America

☆ Biden Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su engaged in tense West Coast port contract negotiations
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Julie Su testifies before a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on her nomination to be Labor Secretary, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., April 20, 2023. President Biden's Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su is in current communication with labor and port management representatives in an effort to help broker a deal at a time of rising tensions at ports up and down the West Coast. President Biden nominated Acting Secretary Su on February 28 to replace Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who stepped down in March. She was previously confirmed by the Senate to serve as the deputy secretary of labor on July 13, 2021. It estimated a more widespread strike along the West Coast could cost approximately $1 billion per day.

Persons: Julie Su, Biden's, Su, Su's, Biden, Marty Walsh, Suzanne Clark, Paul Brashier Organizations: Health, Education, Labor, Capitol, California Labor, Workforce Development Agency, Warehouse Union, Pacific Maritime Association, The Department, United Mine Workers, AFL, Senate, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, National Retail Federation, National Association of Manufacturers, . Chamber of Commerce, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, ILWU, Canadian, Logistics, ITS Logistics Locations: Washington , U.S, West, West Coast, Los Angeles, Long, U.S, ILWU Canada, Canadian West Coast, Panama, East

☆ PMA says US West Coast port workers shut down Port of Seattle; workers' union denies claim
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"On the first shift today, the ILWU refused to dispatch any longshore workers to container terminals, the PMA said, resulting in the shutdown of the port. The ILWU, however, said that the West Coast ports are open and accused the PMA of "leveraging one-sided information to influence the process." “Despite what you are hearing from PMA, West Coast ports are open as we continue to work under our expired collective bargaining agreement,” said ILWU International President Willie Adams. West Coast ports stretching from California to Washington state are critical to the U.S. supply chains and the economy. The largest U.S. business group on Friday urged President Joe Biden to intervene immediately and appoint an independent mediator to address a protracted West Coast ports labor dispute.

Persons: ”, Willie Adams, Joe Biden, Suzanne Clark, Biden, Gokul, Diane Craft, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Pacific Maritime Association, International, Warehouse Union, Port, ILWU, Unions, . Chamber of Commerce, Thomson Locations: Port of Seattle, West, West Coast, California, Washington, U.S, Port, Seattle, Bengaluru

☆ Port of Seattle closed due to ILWU labor strife
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The labor strife continues on the west coast with the announcement of the Port of Seattle shutting down due to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) refusing to dispatch labor to work at the container terminals. The West Coast ports have faced continuous worker slowdowns and stoppages all week where an estimated $5.2 billion of trade is floating off the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Oakland. "Despite what you are hearing from PMA, West Coast ports are open as we continue to work under our expired collective bargaining agreement," stated International President Willie Adams. The Port of Seattle and its twin port, The Port of Tacoma, make up what is called the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA). The Port of Seattle is one of the top maritime ports in North America that U.S. ag exporters rely on to ship their produce and grain.

Persons: Willie Adams Organizations: Port, Warehouse Union, Pacific Maritime Association, Northwest Seaport Alliance Locations: Seattle, West, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, West Coast, The Port, Tacoma, North America, China, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, India

REUTERS/Carlos BarriaJune 9 (Reuters) - The largest U.S. business group on Friday urged President Joe Biden him to intervene immediately and appoint an independent mediator to address a protracted West Coast ports labor dispute. West Coast ports stretching from California to Washington state are critical to U.S. supply chains and the nation's economy. U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Suzanne Clark in a letter to Biden cited "continued and potentially expanded service disruptions at these ports heading into peak shipping season." Workers reported for duty on Thursday and Friday at the Port of Los Angeles, officials said. "Operations going into the weekend seem to be the most normal they've been" since labor disruptions started late last week, Los Angeles port spokesman Phillip Sanfield said, adding that the port has limited weekend hours.

Persons: Carlos Barria, Joe Biden, Suzanne Clark, Biden, Phillip Sanfield, David Shepardson, Chizu Nomiyama, Mark Potter Organizations: Shipping, Port, REUTERS, . Chamber of Commerce, Pacific Maritime Association, Warehouse Union, Workers, Retailers, Thomson Locations: Oakland, Oakland , California, U.S, West Coast, California, Washington, Seattle, Tacoma, Los Angeles, Long, Port of Los Angeles, San Francisco, East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Asia, Panama

The "slow and go" pace of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union workforce at West Coast ports has slowed ground port productivity to a crawl. "Our data shows that vessels will continue arriving at West Coast ports in the coming days with significant amounts of cargo to unload," said Kyle Henderson, CEO of Vizion. Truck and container backupsThe average truck turns to go in and out of the West Coast ports are up. West Coast ports, which had lost significant volume to East Coast ports over the past year due to volatility in the labor contract talks, had in recent months begun to gain back volume. Recent Panama Canal low water levels limited cargo throughput, and soon after that, large parts of U.S. West Coast ports stopped handling inbound and outbound container trade.

Persons: Kyle Henderson, lashers, Xeneta, Peter Sand, Hapag Lloyd, Paul Brashier, Jerome Powell, Jonathan Ostry Organizations: Fenix Marine Services, Warehouse, Port, CNBC, Vizion, Logistics, Pacific Maritime Association, Long, PMA, Marine Services, East Coasts, Fenix Marine, U.S ., East Coast Ports, CMA, ITS Logistics, Los Angeles, Federal, Georgetown Locations: West Coast, Port of Oakland, Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach , California, Oakland, Los Angeles, Long, Port of Long, Long Beach, Seattle, Tacoma, West, U.S, East, Coast, East Coast, Panama, U.S . West Coast, Gulf, Asia, South America, Los, Houston, Savannah

☆ Vessel buildup grows at West Coast ports as maritime supply chain begins to break, echoing Covid chaos
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Tugboats guide the Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) Mia container ship arriving at the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California, U.S., on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. The number of vessels due to dock at the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach is increasing as labor slowdowns at West Coast port terminals have impacted supply chain operations, from trucks to rails and ocean carriers. Data from MarineTraffic shows that vessel problems are shifting from isolated to more pervasive. He said these vessels have yet to be loaded/offloaded and sent away, critical to make room for the next wave of vessels heading to Los Angeles. At the Port of Los Angeles, the CMA CGN Lyra has been at the dock since May 31; CMA CGM Amerigo Vespucci has been there since June 1.

Persons: Adil Ashiq, Lyra, Amerigo Vespucci Organizations: Mediterranean Shipping Co, Port, Marine Exchange, Southern, Vessel Traffic Service, North, MarineTraffic, MSC, CNBC, Tesla, CMA, Ports Locations: Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles , California, U.S, Long, West Coast, Port of Long, Southern California, Los Angeles, LA, North America, of Los Angeles, Europe, Port of Oakland

☆ Freight railroad alert raised to 'red' as shippers fear more West Coast port tensions
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The slowdown in International Longshore and Warehouse Union work at West Coast ports has created a congestion contagion that is spreading to the freight railroads, with uncertain consequences for the supply chain. The West Coast ports, including Los Angeles and Long Beach, had seen an uptick in recent activity as labor talks progressed, taking back some volume from East Coast ports which had gained amid the labor tensions over the past year. That port processes less railroad freight compared to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which have been open with only certain terminals targeted for shutdowns. Brashier said there is concern that inland port intermodal (IPI) freight will be hit next. "Without a concrete resolution in sight, a lack of reliable communication from either party and the ILWU actions, shippers should stay vigilant and close to the situation on the West Coast as the situation remains extremely fluid," he said.

Persons: Paul Brashier, Brashier Organizations: ITS Logistics, Port, Rail, Los, Pacific Maritime Association, The Association of American Railroads, shutdowns Locations: West Coast, Los Angeles, Long, East Coast, U.S, Port, Oakland

☆ West Coast port labor issues continue as some Los Angeles-bound rail shipments get paused
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Aerial view of containers and cargo ships at the Port of Los Angeles on Jan. 19, 2022 in San Pedro, California. Union Pacific is no longer accepting exports or empty containers at its Denver rail terminal destined for the Port of Los Angeles, a proactive move that reflects the supply chain issues that have arisen due to ongoing West Coast port labor issues. That is critical for food and agriculture shipments, where products can spoil — the U.S. agriculture industry uses the West Coast predominantly for its goods. The Port of Los Angeles is the nation's busiest port, processing $440 billion in cargo value per year. Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary BNSF and Union Pacific are the railroads servicing the West Coast ports.

Persons: Paul Brashier Organizations: Port, San Pedro , California ., San Pedro , California . Union Pacific, CNBC, Ocean, CMA, Pacific, Union Pacific, Berkshire Hathaway, BNSF, ITS Logistics, Pacific Maritime Association, Oakland, Truckers, Marine Services, Maersk Locations: Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro , California, San Pedro , California . Union, Denver, West Coast, Los Angeles, East Coast, Long, U.S, Seattle, OOCL, COSCO Shipping, Sealand, Evergreen

☆ West Coast port labor issues persist from Los Angeles to Seattle, with supply chain frustration mounting
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A container ship is shown at the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California, November 22, 2021. Another Los Angeles Port terminal, Pacific Container Terminal (owned by SSA) announced Monday morning to truckers they would be closing the dayside shift on Tuesday. watch nowThe Port of Los Angeles, the nation's busiest port, processes $440 billion in cargo value per year. That market share has declined with more trade moving to the East Coast over the past year, at least partially due to labor issues on the West Coast that had supply chain managers worried about reliability of service. Recently, as the labor negotiations on the West Coast were said to have made progress, more trade started coming back.

Persons: Mike Blake, Paul Brashier, Brashier, ILWU Organizations: Port, Oakland, Logistics, CNBC, Marine Services, CMA, Maersk, Evergreen, ITS Logistics, Warehouse Union, Fenix Marine, Los Angeles Port, Container, SSA, Pacific Maritime Association Locations: Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles , California, West, Los Angeles, Seattle, OOCL, COSCO Shipping, Sealand, West Coast, Port, East Coast, China, of Los Angeles, East, Long, Oakland

☆ West Coast ports shut down as labor negotiations drag on
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Jane Wells | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWest Coast ports shut down as labor negotiations drag onCNBC's Jane Wells joins 'Squawk Box' from Los Angeles with the latest.

Persons: Jane Wells Locations: Los Angeles

☆ West Coast dockworkers disrupt trade for a fourth day, says maritime group
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Vanessa Yurkevich | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —For a fourth day, dockworkers at West Coast ports in the United States are disrupting international trade, according to the Pacific Maritime Association. The West Coast ports, which once handled the bulk of US trade — especially during the pandemic, have relinquished some volume to the Gulf and East Coast Ports. The West Coast ports have said they are capable and open for business. Much of the diverted cargo may never return to the West Coast,” the PMA said. “We are getting there but it’s important to understand that West Coast dockworkers kept the economy going during the pandemic and lost their lives doing so.

Persons: Biden, ”, David French, Willie Adams, “, dockworkers Organizations: CNN, Pacific Maritime Association, Port, Warehouse Union, PMA, East Coast, National Retail Administration, National Retail Federation Locations: dockworkers, West Coast, United States, Port of Long, Los Angeles, Long, Oakland, Seattle, Port, Tacoma, Gulf, East, East Coast Ports, West, California

☆ Largest terminal at Long Beach, California port won't open Monday after getting hit by labor turmoil
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The largest terminal operator at the Port of Long Beach and Seattle told truckers Sunday it will close for both the day and night shifts on Monday, according to an email obtained by CNBC. Ports and workers are locked in an unofficial dispute over wages, as well as safety, automation and pension benefits. TTI email to trucking clients of terminal closures Monday amidst labor turmoilThe notice was sent by Total Terminals International (TTI), the largest terminal in Long Beach and a unit of MSC. "Port of Long Beach cargo has been moving through the terminals and we do expect the commitment by the parties to continue and encourage the parties to put [a] full faith effort for a final resolution," said Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach. "To put it lightly, gate disruptions make it difficult for our members to plan and deploy truck capacity," said Schrap.

Persons: Mario Cordero, Matt Schrap, Longshoremen Organizations: Port, CNBC, Total Terminals, MSC, Harbor Trucking Association Locations: Port of Long Beach, Seattle, Long Beach, of Long Beach

☆ Dockworkers Shut Down, Slow Cargo Operations at West Coast Ports
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Paul Berger | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

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Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Labor issues causing some West Coast shipping ports to close
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailLabor issues causing some West Coast shipping ports to closeCNBC's Lori Ann LaRocco joins 'Power Lunch' to report on new labor issues with union workers refusing to report for work at some West Coast ports, leading to shutdowns.

Persons: Lori Ann LaRocco Locations: West Coast

☆ West Coast ports shut down as union workers 'no show' after breakdown in wage negotiations
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

West Coast ports are shutting down as union workers "no show" after a breakdown in negotiations with port management. A source close to the situation told CNBC the port shutdowns are expected to spread across the West Coast as a result of lack of sufficient labor as workers protest over wage negotiations in contract talks with port management. Two of the Oakland port marine terminals — SSA, its largest, and TraPac — were closed as of the morning shift on Friday, said Robert Bernardo, spokesman for the Port of Oakland. The stoppages come at a time when activity at West Coast ports had picked up again after losing volume to the East Coast ports due to concerns about the volatile labor situation. At the Port of Oakland, total container volume increased for two consecutive months, with port officials optimistic about the upswing.

Persons: TraPac, Robert Bernardo, Bryan Brandes, Peter Friedmann Organizations: CNBC, SSA, Port, Fenix Marine, Oakland Maritime, Agriculture Transportation Coalition Locations: Coast, Port, Oakland, West, Port of Oakland, Los Angeles, Port of Hueneme, West Coast, East, South Korea, China

The West Coast is home to the busiest U.S. container port complex at Los Angeles/Long Beach. Pacific Coast ports are an important engine of the U.S. economy and handle everything from apparel and furniture to agricultural products and automobiles. Some Port of Los Angeles terminals were affected by labor shortages, a spokesperson there said. Meanwhile, West Coast ports have lost cargo to rival ports on the East and Gulf Coasts as shippers worry that a breakdown in talks could strand cargo on ships or in docks. Reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Will Dunham and Diane CraftOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Willie Adams, Adams, Mario Cordero, Cordero, Friday's, Lisa Baertlein, Will Dunham, Diane Craft Organizations: U.S . West, Pacific Maritime Association, Warehouse Union, ILWU, Twitter, Long Beach, Walmart, Thomson Locations: ANGELES, U.S . West Coast, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, California, Tacoma, Seattle, Washington, Coast, Pacific Coast, U.S, Port, Long, West Coast, Gulf Coasts

Seventy percent of Million Dollar Baby's demand is on the U.S. East Coast, executives said. During the first three months of 2023, West Coast ports handled 40% of U.S. container import volume. Extrapolating that first-quarter data over 12 months would show that more than 1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) moved away from the West Coast ports annually, starting in 2021, said Chris Jones, an executive vice president at Descartes Systems Group. Colgate-Palmolive (CL.N) routed 25% of containers away from West Coast ports and has already begun reversing some of that, said Francisco Rodriguez, Colgate toothpaste maker's director of global logistics. Importing to Mexico opens a legal loophole that enables Million Dollar Baby to sell those products to U.S. customers without a 25% tariff.

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