Here are the top news stories impacting supply chains this month.
Key members of the United States Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen’s Association met in secret on Sunday to try to reach an agreement between port ownership and the dockworkers’ union on the contentious topic of automation and semi-automation. The conference resulted in a document that highlights the importance of creating new human jobs to support any new port technology. The e...
The global container shipping industry is undergoing a major shakeup in 2025, with new alliances forming and existing partnerships dissolving. These changes will impact global trade routes, service offerings, and competition across the industry. 2M Alliance Dissolution The 2M Alliance, a partnership between Maersk and MSC, will officially dissolve in January 2025. MSC, the largest container shippi...
The automation debate between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) is escalating, with the potential for significant economic and logistical disruptions looming. The ILA has secured support from President-elect Trump, who recently criticized foreign companies for prioritizing profits over American dockworkers. Trump emphasized the import...
Here are some of the top news stories in global shipping right now. The EU’s naval commander is arguing for the return of shipping in the Red Sea region. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining maritime security and countering the threat of piracy but points out that the continued rerouting away from the region undermines the resilience of the industry. With proper risk management and the coop...
India’s port operations face the looming threat of an indefinite strike as dockworkers prepare to escalate their protests over delayed settlements from a five-year contract agreed upon in August. Demonstrations have already begun, with a mass protest scheduled for December 10. Retired employees awaiting pension benefits are also expected to join the protests. Six federated unions have announced pl...
Tensions have reignited between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) over contract negotiations at East and Gulf Coast ports. The ILA, representing 45,000 workers, recently walked away from talks on November 13, accusing employers of pushing for automation technology in a new master contract. The dispute centers on the introduction of se...
Here are some of the top news stories in global shipping right now. There are challenges — with a few uncertainties thrown in — ahead for container shipping in 2025. Factors such as overcapacity due to an excessive number of new vessel orders, weak demand growth, together with new and looming environmental regulations all play a part. Combine that with issues like potential turbulence in the econo...
One area of contention in the recent U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports strike was the concerns of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) regarding the impact of automation on jobs. The ILA opposes automation, fearing job losses, but evidence from West Coast ports shows that automation is actually creating new opportunities. At automated terminals in Los Angeles and Long Beach, productivit...