In an update on the situation between the unions represented by the International Longshoremen Association (ILA) and employers represented by the United States Maritime Exchange (USMX) Maersk said, “Due to potential labour disruptions, Maersk is implementing a local Port Disruption Surcharge for all cargo moving to and from the US US East Coast and Gulf Coast terminals, effective October 21, 2024.”
The surcharge is rated at $1,500 per teu, $3,000 per 40-foot containers including hi-cubes, and $3,780 for a 45-footer.
“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,” Maersk said.
The move by the Danish line follows similar announcements by MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, and CMA CGM.
Container lines and logistics providers are gearing up for the strike as the USMX and ILA remain at an impasse with talks on a new six-year labour contract having broken down several months ago. ILA has pledged that its 85,000 members will go on a coast wide strike from 1 October if a new agreement is not reached.
Cargo on vessels bound for East Coast ports and due to arrive from 1 October will likely be left stranded onboard ship until the industrial action can be resolved.