UPDATE: 4/10/2023—The ports have resumed operation as of this weekend with confirmation from the PMA. Mohawk Global will continue to monitor the situation and provide further details as they become available.
At 5:00 PM PST on Thursday, April 6, 2023, the twin port of Los Angeles and Long Beach closed because of manpower shortage. The second shift for International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) workers was canceled, effectively stopping all planned port operations for Thursday night.
At the time of the announcement, it was unclear whether ILWU workers would be available for the first shift this morning April 7, 2023. Unfortunately, notifications have been received from terminal operators and the drayage community in LA/Long Beach, that operations will not resume this morning.
It is unclear at this time whether workers will return for the second shift, this evening, or the status of further shifts beyond that.
Likewise, it is unknown if this situation is related to any long-term or more serious actions planned, or if this is a short-term scenario. ILWU workers have been without a contract since July 2022 and tensions between the ILWU and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) employers remain elevated.
Mohawk Global will continue to monitor the situation and provide further details as they become available.
By Christopher Lindstrand