Ports, CBP Enact 'Business Resumption' Measures as Strike at Ports Ends

The three-day work stoppage at U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast terminals has ended for now, prompting calls by CBP and the ports to resume business as usual.

Members of the International Longshoremen's Association and the United States Maritime Alliance said late Oct. 3 in a joint statement that they reached a tentative agreement on wages. The two also have agreed to extend the master contract until Jan. 15, 2025, to hash out any outstanding issues.

The contract had expired on Sept. 30, and ILA members went on strike just after midnight on Oct. 1.

With this latest development, ILA members were called back to their posts while shipper associations expressed relief. Individual port websites are providing operational updates.

"We want to thank you for your patience during the three-day work stoppage," the Georgia Ports Authority said in an Oct. 4 client advisory. "GPA opened for operations at 0600 hrs this morning and we are processing cargo well. There’s no waiting lines for trucks, vessels are alongside discharging/loading and our Mason Megarail operations are running smooth. We will be offering weekend gates to help restore your supply chain fluidity."

The Port of Virginia indicated earlier today that it was in close contact with customers, port users, transportation partners and local and state bodies such as CBP and the Coast Guard.

The port noted that all marine terminals and support facilities would reopen on Oct. 5. Extended weekend gate hours would also be available to support the resumption of operations.

Meanwhile, CBP reiterated that it's business as usual, which is similar to what officials have alluded to in previous communications with the trade community when the agency said that merchandise must still abide by the pertinent import and export regulations during the strike (2410010048).

In a conference call Oct. 4 with the trade, CBP officials said the agency is focusing on business resumption plans at the ports.

"We are actively communicating with our field officers and ports of entry," Shane Campbell, CBP deputy executive director of cargo and conveyance security, said on the call.

A caller asked what voyage number vessel operators should use for cargo that was unable to discharge at the first call and was anchored in U.S. waters.

CBP responded that the voyage update should be sufficient and will carry over with the manifest, although the caller was asked to contact CBP to confirm details.

In response to another question, CBP said companies should update importer security filings as additional and more accurate information becomes available.

Indeed, as business returns to normal, the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America told members in an Oct. 4 update to "be mindful of their compliance" with CBP regulations "while they readjust their operations, and keep in mind the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) consumer assistance, enforcement, and litigation services when seeking relief from supply chain challenges that were caused by and in the aftermath of the East-Gulf Coast port labor strike."

President Joe Biden meanwhile issued this statement in response to the joint ILA and USMX announcement: "Today’s tentative agreement on a record wage and an extension of the collective bargaining process represents critical progress towards a strong contract. I congratulate the dockworkers from the ILA, who deserve a strong contract after sacrificing so much to keep our ports open during the pandemic. And I applaud the port operators and carriers who are members of the US Maritime Alliance for working hard and putting a strong offer on the table."

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