ISF Enforcement Reminder

We would like to provide you with more information on the enforcement of liquidated damages for non-compliance in ISF filings. Importer Security Filings (ISF) that are due on or after July 9, 2013 are subject to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforcement.

Port of Virginia Plans Temporary June 12th Shutdown

On June 12th, the Port of Virginia is planning to shutdown operations for four hours to allow negotiations to occur between the employers and the local chapter of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA).  Back in March, the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) and the ILA agreed to a six year Maine to Texas coastwide contract, however, a few local supplemental agreements still remain unsettled, including at the Port of Virginia.

July 1 GRI

General Rate Increases recently announced from the carriers effective July 1, 2013.  The amounts and scopes of the GRIs are as follows:

Chassis Use Surcharge

Increasingly, major shipping lines are announcing that they will no longer provide chassis for import and export cargo in a growing number of U.S. markets. We are starting to see many of the ocean carriers begin the implementation of chassis elimination into our region as they announced last year. As a result, we are seeing a slight increase in local drayage cost as well as daily chassis usage fees varying from $20.00 per day to $25.00 per day with a two day minimum.

Strike at Hong Kong International Terminals

Contract dockworkers continue their seven-day strike at Hong Kong's busiest container terminal (HIT).  The stevedores at Hong Kong International Terminals (HIT) are requesting a 17% wage increase over a two year period, however, the employers have rejected that proposal.  Currently the Hong Kong Labor Department and HIT top management are negotiating but it seems a compromise is not within reach.

ILA & USMX Set Ratification Date

Earlier today delegates of the International Longshoremen's Association and the United States Maritime Alliance agreed to a master contract and supplemental local agreements that will be in effect for six years.  The contracts are still awaiting final approval from the members of the ILA.

East Coast Deal Close to Finalization

This is an update to our bulletin on February 4th which announced that the International Longshoremen's Association and United States Maritime Alliance had reached a tentative agreement on a six-year coastwide (Maine to Texas) master contract.  That agreement was pending ratification by both sides and the passing of local union contracts.