ILA USMX Update

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. (USMX) have reached a tentative agreement on wages and have agreed to extend the Master Contract until January 15, 2025, to return to the bargaining table to negotiate all other outstanding issues. Starting October 4th, work will resume at most ports along the US East and US Gulf coasts. Maersk looks forward to resuming operations today as well as the future negotiations over the next 90 days, which support our customers’ supply chain and consumers.

Please find below overview of our operations for your Maersk bookings. The situation is fluid and therefore terminals and partners may adjust their hours. Please visit each website for the latest information.

Booking acceptance

We advise our customers to go through your normal booking channels including Maersk.com and Maersk Spot. Maersk booking acceptance is contingent upon space and equipment availability, as always. The only exception at present: Maersk bookings involving export refrigerated containers via ILA-impacted ports from store-door origins are not currently being accepted.

Vessel and Terminal Operations

Operational teams are working closely with terminals to determine the best estimate of line up. We are also reviewing schedules considering that operations have resumed today. Please see the first group of working vessels for this weekend’s schedule. Additionally, please download the Vessel Contingency Tracker to see if there are any terminal changes, omissions, vessel changes, and more.

Intermodal Operations (truck and rail)

Truck operations are resuming per terminal gate schedules.

• Import Store Door (SD) container dispatch is based on appt. availability, truck capacity and will be dispatched in Last Free Day order.
• Export Store Door (SD) container dispatch is based on port and rail cutoffs which are still fluid at this time. Maersk will continue to release export rail billing to all customers
• CSX inland gates will open at 1700 ET today, Oct 4 with service into all US East and Gulf coast locations except for Savannah. Receiving for Savannah will resume Saturday, Oct 5.
• All Norfolk Southern inland gates are open as of 0500 Friday Oct 4.
• All CN ramps remained closed per previous guidance. An operational plan will be provided by CN by close of business with expectation international cargo will resume operations Mon./Tues. next week.

Empty Equipment

Terminal gates are beginning to open for empty returns throughout Friday and Saturday. We recommend monitoring local terminal advisories for more detail as some terminals are not available until tomorrow Oct 5. Once gates open, empty returns should resume business as usual. Newark, Baltimore, and Norfolk gates are closed today.

Port Disruption Surcharge

Following the agreement between the Intl Longshoreman Association (ILA) and US Maritime Alliance (USMX) to an extension of the current contract and the suspension of the work stoppage impacting the US Atlantic Coast and Gulf Coast ports, Maersk will suspend the Port Disruption Surcharge (originally announced Sept 21) and we will not impose the applicable fee for shipments to and from the United States.

Import Inland Cargo Diversion

Maersk will waive its inland cancellation charges for any customer who wishes to terminate their cargo at an affected ocean port instead of an originally booked inland delivery.

Demurrage & Detention

Demurrage & detention clocks will restart based on terminal re-opening schedules. Please be mindful of weekend gates terminals may be offering. Where a terminal is open on Saturday, that day will count toward the freetime period for containers within freetime. For current terminal hours, please view here. The situation is fluid and therefore terminals may change their hours. Please visit each terminal website for the latest information.

Please also be reminded of Maersk's dispute procedures regarding terminal appointments for import pickup's and empty returns you can find in the import section of the United States local page on maersk.com.

Transport plan Notifications

We continue encouraging our customers to sign up for Transport Plan and Schedule Change notifications or check schedules on Maersk.com. As noted, the situation is constantly evolving so staying informed is crucial. By signing up for notifications, you can stay ahead of the vessel changes.

Our commitment to finding effective solutions for our customers is unwavering, and we value your partnership and trust in us. We will continue to inform our customers on the recovery operations through our advisories and Maersk.com. Should you need additional information or support, please contact our customer experience team. Please note that responses may be delayed as we support our customers bookings and questions during the recovery period.

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. (USMX) have reached a tentative agreement on wages and have agreed to extend the Master Contract until January 15, 2025, to return to the bargaining table to negotiate all other outstanding issues. Starting October 4th, work will resume at most ports along the US East and US Gulf coasts. Maersk looks forward to resuming operations today as well as the future negotiations over the next 90 days, which support our customers’ supply chain and consumers. 

Please find below overview of the port and terminal availability for your Maersk bookings. The situation is fluid and therefore terminals may change their hours.  Please visit each terminal website for the latest information. Later today (Friday Oct 4) you will receive a second communication which will focus on the detailed recovery efforts across terminal operations, vessels waiting to berth, rail operations, equipment, detention & demurrage update, surcharge information, and booking acceptance.  

Our commitment to finding effective solutions for our customers is unwavering, and we value your partnership and trust in us.

We will continue to inform our customers on the recovery operations through our advisories and Maersk.com. Should you need additional information or support, please contact our customer experience team.

The ILA strike began on Tuesday, October 1, impacting U.S. East Coast and Gulf ports and affecting the movement of import and export containers and our operations. We continue monitoring the situation closely and acknowledge its challenges. We are diligently working on and implementing contingency plans to support you. Please be aware that the situation is constantly evolving, and details may change accordingly.

Import Cargo Diversion Requests

Maersk will waive its diversion fees for any bookings to impacted ports if requested to re-route to an alternate unaffected port. You can make this request to re-route via your usual channel on Maersk.com.

This waiver will only apply to cargo that has not loaded its final vessel for the U.S. and is subject to operational feasibility and any additional operational fees or revised prices to route the cargo to its new destination. In addition, Maersk will waive its inland cancellation charges for any customer who wishes to terminate their cargo at an affected ocean port instead of an originally booked inland delivery.

Detention & Demurrage

As an update to our previously communicated policy on demurrage and detention communicated on September 20, Maersk will suspend the detention clock for all containers during the full duration of the work stoppage.

As a summary of our entire policy, please note the updated change below.

1. For any containers within the demurrage or detention, freetime period at the start of the work stoppage, we will suspend the freetime clock until the strike concludes and the freetime period will resume at that time.
2. We will apply demurrage charges in accordance with the terminal operator's policy for any containers in demurrage at the time of the work stoppage. Currently, the only terminal operators assessing storage are the Philadelphia and Miami Pomtoc terminals.
3. For any containers in detention at the time of the work stoppage, Maersk will suspend detention charges for the duration of the strike.
4. For operating refrigerated containers remaining on the terminal during the work stoppage, any electricity and/or monitoring charges assessed by the terminal will be for the cargo owner's account.

Maersk Notifications

We continue encouraging our customers to sign up for Transport Plan and Schedule Change notifications or check schedules on Maersk.com. As noted, the situation is constantly evolving so staying informed is crucial. By signing up for notifications, you can stay ahead of any changes.

Booking Acceptance

We advise our customers to go through your normal booking channels including Maersk.com and Maersk Spot. Maersk booking acceptance is contingent upon space availability, as always.

Export bookings for CY shipments, whether inland or port, reefer or dry, are being processed. US export bookings involving refrigerated containers via ILA-impacted ports with a store-door service are currently not being accepted.

There are no restrictions on new import bookings via ILA-impacted ports imposed by North America; however other regions importing to the US are managing dry & reefer booking acceptance based on their individual guidelines. Please contact your local CX team for guidance.

Equipment

Please continue holding all empty containers until the work stoppage has ceased. We do not have empty return locations at this time. Further inquiries can be sent to NAMEQUEDO@Maersk.com

Our commitment to finding effective solutions for our customers is unwavering, and we value your partnership and trust in us.

We will continue to inform our customers about the situation through daily email advisories and Maersk.com. Should you need additional information or support, please contact our customer experience team.

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) strike began on October 1, affecting the movement of import and export containers and our operations. We are closely monitoring the situation and acknowledge its challenges. We are diligently working on and implementing contingency plans to support you. Please be aware that the situation is constantly evolving, and details may change accordingly.

Maersk Notifications

We strongly encourage our customers to proactively sign up for Transport Plan and Schedule Change notifications or check schedules on Maersk.com. As noted, the situation is constantly evolving so staying informed is crucial. By signing up for notifications, you can stay ahead of any changes.

Booking Acceptance

We advise our customers to go through your normal booking channels including Maersk.com and Maersk Spot.
Maersk booking acceptance is contingent upon space availability, as always.

Export bookings for CY shipments, whether inland or port, reefer or dry, are being processed. US export bookings involving refrigerated containers via ILA-impacted ports with a store-door service are currently not being accepted.

There are no restrictions on new import bookings via ILA-impacted ports imposed by North America; however other regions importing to the US are managing reefer booking acceptance based on their individual guidelines. Please contact your local CX team for assistance.

Exports from the US

While you are checking online or receiving our transport plan updates, you might notice that your vessel has changed to "Pending Mother Vessel" (PMV); this is a holding message we use while planning our contingencies.

Once we move into recover mode, transport plan changes may be necessary. We will ensure your shipment is updated and planned as quickly as possible.

We have many contingencies in place and will be ready to reassign vessels once the strike is resolved. We kindly ask for your patience in this matter. Please do not go online to roll your cargo - leave that with us!

For your cargo on the terminal waiting to load, please ensure all your export requirements are in place so we can quickly and efficiently move once the strike is resolved.

Imports to the US

While you are checking online or receiving our transport plan updates, you might notice that your vessel has changed to "Pending Mother Vessel " (PMV); this is a holding message we use while planning our contingencies. We have omitted some ports and will need to omit some ports. While we work on the complete routing, you might see this message. Please do not worry - we will route it as quickly as possible.

Equipment

Please continue holding all empty containers until the labor disruption has ceased. At this time, we do not have alternative empty depots planned. Further inquiries can be sent to NAMEQUEDO@Maersk.com

Operational Updates

Our operations teams are closely monitoring the situation and adjusting current schedules in response to port closures and potential berth line-up.

Our commitment to finding effective solutions for our customers is unwavering, and we value your partnership and trust in us.

We will continue to inform our customers about the situation through daily email advisories and Maersk.com. Should you need additional information or support, please contact our customer experience team.

At 12:01 a.m. today, the International Longshoremen’s Association called a coast-wide strike, temporarily closing U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, affecting the movement of import and export containers and our operations.

We acknowledge this situation's challenges and assure you that we are diligently working and implementing contingency plans. Should you require guidance, you can reach out to your Maersk representative. Please be aware that the situation is constantly evolving, and details may change accordingly.

Maersk Notifications

We strongly advise our customers to proactively sign up for Transport Plan and Schedule Change notifications or check schedules on Maersk.com. As noted, the situation is constantly evolving and remains dynamic, staying informed is crucial. By signing up for notifications, you can stay ahead of any changes.

Booking Acceptance Updates

We advise our customers to go through your normal booking channels including Maersk.com and Maersk Spot.
Maersk booking acceptance is contingent upon space availability, as always. Export bookings for CY shipments, whether inland or port, reefer or dry, are being processed. There are no restrictions on new import bookings via ILA-impacted ports. The only exception at present: Maersk bookings involving export refrigerated containers via ILA-impacted ports from store-door origins are not currently being accepted.

Operational Updates

Our Maersk operational teams have mapped out specific possible vessel-level contingencies that will be actioned depending on the duration of the labor dispute. As we progress, we will communicate each specific contingency.

Rail

We can provide contingency inland routings from West Coast port locations in select East Coast markets. Please work with your Maersk commercial representative for additional information.

Equipment

Please hold all empty containers until the labor disruption has ceased. At this time, we do not have alternative empty depots planned. Further inquiries can be sent to NAMEQUEDO@Maersk.com

Our commitment to finding effective solutions for our customers is unwavering, and we value your partnership and trust in us.

We will continue to inform our customers about the situation through daily email advisories and Maersk.com. Should you need additional information or support, please contact our customer experience team.

As previously communicated, the existing contract between USMX and ILA is set to expire at midnight tonight, September 30th. Contingency plans are in place in anticipation of any potential work stoppage beginning on October 1st. Should you require guidance, you can reach to your Maersk representative. Please be aware that the situation is constantly evolving, and details may change accordingly.

Should there be a labor stoppage, please hold all empty containers until the labor disruption has ceased. At this time, we do not have alternative empty depots planned. Escalations can be sent to NAMEQUEDO@Maersk.com Stay informed by regularly checking for updates on terminal operations to ensure you are up-to-date on any changes.

We recommend customers continue to sign up for Transport Plan and Schedule Change notifications or check schedules on Maersk.com. As noted, the situation is constantly evolving and remains dynamic and signing up for notifications is a great way to stay informed.

We acknowledge this situation's challenges and assure you that we are diligently working to plan and address potential disruptions proactively. Our commitment to finding effective solutions for our customers is unwavering, and we value your partnership and trust in us.

We will continue to inform our customers about the situation through email advisories and Maersk.com. Should you need additional information or support, please contact our customer experience team.

We are committed to informing you about the ongoing negotiations between the International Longshoreman Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. (USMX). As previously communicated, the existing contract between USMX and ILA expires on September 30. Due to the ILA’s refusal to negotiate on a new Master Contract, USMX has filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and requested immediate injunctive relief – requiring the Union to resume bargaining – so that they can negotiate a deal. USMX is regularly sharing negotiation updates on its website.

A potential ILA labor disruption will have impacts on supply chains, leading to delays in cargo movement, increased costs, and logistical challenges for businesses relying on U.S. East Coast and Gulf ports. Longer labor dispute durations may exacerbate disruptions, affecting import and export activities, container availability, and overall operational efficiency.

Booking updates:

We advise our customers to go thru your normal booking channels including Maersk.com and Maersk Spot. Maersk booking acceptance continues as normal with some exceptions, including bookings for refrigerated containers outbound from inland locations via the US Atlantic and Gulf coast.

Operational Updates:

Customers should follow port authority and intermodal service guidance on gate hours. Since labor disruptions will impact terminal operators’ ability to monitor reefer containers, we encourage customers to plan accordingly to avoid the risk of loss or damage to temperature-controlled cargo.

The operational teams have mapped out specific possible vessel-level contingencies that could be actioned depending on the duration of the labor dispute. As we progress, we will communicate each specific contingency. We are committed to ensuring smooth operations and minimizing disruptions during this period.

Rail updates:

• Imports:
  • Please arrange pickup for as many import containers as possible prior to Oct 1st
  • We are not offering pre-pulls to intermediary locations at this time. All deliveries must be to the customer's delivery location
• Exports:
  • Inland export empty returns will follow gate closure guidance from the railroads
  • All dry export bookings will remain open and we will continue to process export rail billing. The customer must store the containers on their yards. Equipment subject to availability.
  • Rail reservations to be arranged according to vessel cutoffs at resumption of operations
• Empty reefer pick-up for SD export bookings will cease at close of business Friday, Sept 27th to prevent against powered equipment on the street. Exceptions will handled as they arise.
• Maersk is able to provide contingency inland routings from West Coast port locations in select East Coast markets. Please work with your Maersk commercial representative for additional information.

Equipment & Chassis:

Please continue to return all empties to your assigned location with haste. Should there be a labor dispute, please hold all empty containers until the labor disruption has ceased. Escalations can be sent to NAMEQUEDO@Maersk.com

Maersk encourages customers to make all efforts to move equipment prior to October 1. Many terminals are offering extended and additional gate hours to accommodate demand. Please check terminal operator websites for the latest details.

Due to the dynamic situation, we recommend customers continue to sign up for ETA notifications or check schedules on Maersk.com.

We will continue to keep our customers abreast of the situation through email advisories and Maersk.com. Should you need added information or support, please contact our customer experience team.

Maersk is actively monitoring the ongoing negotiations between the International Longshoreman Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. (USMX). Due to potential labor disruptions, Maersk is implementing a local Port Disruption Surcharge for all cargo moving to and from the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast terminals, effective October 21, 2024 (based on the price calculation date), as detailed below:

Charge amount per equipment size

20’ USD 1500
40’ / 40’ HC USD 3000
45’ USD 3780

The above charges are subject to relevant regulatory approvals.

This charge may be imposed as of October 21, 2024, depending on the impact of the disruption to the supply chain. This surcharge is necessary to cover the higher operational costs that will be incurred due to the service disruptions, ensuring the sustainability of our services and ongoing support for your supply chain requirements.

We will continue to keep our customers abreast of the labor dispute through email advisories and Maersk.com. Should you have any further questions, please contact your local Maersk professional. Our customer experience and commercial teams are always available to support should you need assistance.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

We are committed to informing you about the ongoing negotiations between the International Longshoreman Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. (USMX) regarding your supply chain operations. As previously communicated, the existing contract between USMX and ILA expires on September 30. Despite USMX's efforts to resume discussions with ILA on a new Master Contract, they have faced challenges in arranging a meeting with ILA leadership. To provide updated information to the public and stakeholders, USMX is regularly sharing negotiation updates on its website.

A potential ILA strike will have impacts on supply chains, leading to delays in cargo movement, increased costs, and logistical challenges for businesses relying on U.S. East Coast and Gulf ports. Longer strike durations may exacerbate disruptions, affecting import and export activities, container availability, and overall operational efficiency.

Operational Updates:

For exports, we are accepting bookings as usual and monitoring the situation. Customers should follow port authority and intermodal service guidance on gate hours. Since labor disruptions will impact terminal operators’ ability to monitor reefer containers, we encourage customers to plan accordingly to avoid the risk of loss or damage to temperature-controlled cargo.

To mitigate disruptions, we are exploring alternative cargo acceptance and routing options. Please discuss specific shipments with your local Maersk representative. We are expediting earlier bookings and prioritizing import container movements before disruptions take place.

For imports, please expedite documentation and customs clearance to retrieve cargo promptly before a potential work stoppage. During a strike, cargo at affected ports will be inaccessible.

We encourage our customers to maintain close communication with their Maersk representatives to convey their supply chain needs, which will be pivotal in devising customized contingencies if necessary.

Ocean Terminal updates:

All ports and terminals along the US East and Gulf Coasts adhere to ILA Master Labor Agreement guidelines. A labor disruption will impact all connected services, including moving cargo, gating, linehandling, and rail and trucking connectivity.

Cargo onboard vessels

We expect vessels enroute to ILA-impacted ports to anchor temporarily. Daily reviews will determine port calls, and adjustments will be made as needed. Options are being considered based on the affected services and ports. Our aim is to minimize delays and maintain schedules. Market and Operations teams are exploring alternative cargo acceptance/routing for extended strikes. For out-of-gauge and breakbulk cargo, available alternative ports will be reviewed to ensure transportation options are assessed in advance.

Demurrage & Detention

Maersk urges customers to move equipment before October 1, with many terminals offering extended gate hours. Check terminal websites for updates. Please review direct email communication from Maersk on detailed demurrage and detention updates. Or connect with your customer experience and sales representative for direct questions.

Equipment & Chassis:

• Container empty returns: We have limited non-ILA location options that can accept empty returns. Customers and motor carriers should hold their empties during a potential work stoppage.
• Chassis: Maersk will not cover or reimburse any chassis or other 3rd party charges connected to the work stoppage.

We will continue to keep our customers abreast of the situation through email advisories and Maersk.com. Should you need added information or support, please contact our customer experience team.

As part of our commitment to providing transparent information about your supply chain operations, we want to ensure you are well informed about the ongoing negotiations between the International Longshoreman Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. (USMX), which could significantly impact your operations.

The current contract between USMX and ILA is scheduled to expire on September 30, drawing increased attention to the negotiation process. In the latest memorandum from USMX, shared with us on September 5, they stated that USMX remains committed to resuming negotiations with the ILA on a new Master Contract. However, despite continued outreach to ILA leadership, they still have been unable to secure a meeting.

Negotiations Update

On September 4-5, the ILA convened its Wage Scale delegates in Teaneck, NJ, to discuss its contract demands and to prepare for the possibility of a strike when our current agreement expires on September 30. At the start of its meetings, the ILA released a video directed to its members, which included a number of messages that strongly signaled it has no interest in bargaining and has already made the decision to call a strike. The meetings concluded with the ILA releasing a statement claiming unanimous support from Wage Scale delegates for an October 1 strike if there is not a new agreement in place.

The ILA has yet to share its current contract demands with USMX or reach out to schedule a bargaining session.

To keep the public and stakeholders informed about the latest developments, USMX continues to provide regular negotiation updates on its website. The most recent update, published on September 5, reiterated the key points from its current offer, including industry leading wage increases and the retention of existing technology language, which we believe demonstrates USMX’s willingness to reach a new deal with the ILA.

As with all industry negotiations over the years, we are confident that the parties involved are committed to reach an agreement that works for everyone and provides for robust and efficient supply chains. However, despite a long history of successful negotiations, the possibility of a strike increases each day without a settled contract in hand. Disruptions may be localized or more broad-based. Should a general work stoppage occur on the U.S. Gulf and East Coasts, even a one-week shutdown could take 4-6 weeks to recover from, with significant backlogs and delays compounding with each passing day.

Should disruptions occur, Maersk stands ready to assist our customers explore options to keep their supply chains moving best as possible via alternate routes, modalities, or distribution schedules. Customers are asked to stay in close contact with their Maersk representatives now as communicating supply chain requirements will be key to developing tailored contingencies if needed.

We will share updates as needed should this developing situation impact your supply chain.