South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) has signed an agreement with the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) to jointly reopen Leatherman Terminal.
SC Ports’ Board of Directors voted unanimously in favour of this arrangement.
A joint statement from SC Ports and the ILA reads:
“SC Ports and ILA proudly announce that after productive and collaborative conversations, we have mutually developed and agreed to the framework for an operating agreement that will create long-term stability and competitiveness for the Port of Charleston while providing an enhanced product.
“More importantly, SC Ports and ILA worked together to protect jobs to create a seamless transition toward a future that recognises a trained and experienced workforce across all SC Ports’ terminals.
“SC Ports and ILA are ready to welcome our USMX partners at the Leatherman Terminal for many years to come without hesitation as all obstacles to operations have been removed.”
In May, SC Ports announced delays at its marine terminals and inland port operations, including gates.
More recently, the 140-member International Dockworkers Council (IDC) expressed strong support and solidarity with ILA’s President Harold J. Daggett in the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) dispute.