The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) has initiated a coast-wide strike from Maine to Texas, marking the union’s first strike since 1977.
The strike, impacting 36 ports along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, is driven by disputes over wage increases and automation protections. With the potential to disrupt nearly half of U.S. imports, the strike is expected to cause widespread delays in the shipping industry and may cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars each day.
- In response, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued guidelines to streamline import-export cargo processing during the strike.
- The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) also released an advisory on September 23, emphasizing the enforcement of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022, particularly regarding detention and demurrage fees.