There’s a lot happening in the world of international shipping which affects shippers. In today’s blog we bring together the three top stories affecting shippers right now.
Mayor Makes Leadership Changes at Port of L.A.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti made an announcement yesterday (Jan. 21st) of leadership changes for the Port of Los Angeles.
Starting February 1st, Mayor Garcetti’s Deputy Mayor for City Services, Doane Liu, will become Deputy Executive Director and Chief of Staff at the Port of Los Angeles.
Here are some key excerpts from Mayor Garcetti’s press release:
“The economy is my top priority and the Port of L.A. is our region’s leading economic driver, so it’s critical to me that we have the right team in place to make sure it retains its number-one position and grows as a powerhouse of international trade,” Mayor Garcetti said. “Doane Liu is one of L.A.’s most seasoned and innovative executives, and combined with his personal connection to the port community, I am looking forward to big things from his work there. He will be missed in the Mayor’s Office, but I know we will lean on him just as much in his new position at the Port of Los Angeles.”
“Doane Liu’s experience, expertise and close ties to the surrounding community will be invaluable as we work to boost trade, enhance the waterfront and green our operations,” Port Executive Director Gene Seroka said. “He is the cornerstone of a major reorganization intended to make sure Mayor Garcetti’s vision for America’s Port moves forward full steam ahead.”
In addition to Liu’s new Chief of Staff position, Seroka announced the following members of the Port’s leadership team: Marla Bleavins, Chief Financial Officer; Ron Boyd, Chief of Port Police and Emergency Management; Mike DiBernardo, Marketing and Customer Relations; and Tony Gioiello, Development.
SOURCE: http://www.lamayor.org/mayor_garcetti_announces_port_of_l_a_changes
Great Lakes International Shipping Season is Over
The international shipping season for the Great Lakes is officially over.
On Tuesday (Jan. 22nd) the final cargo ship of the 2014 season, the John G. Munson, docked at Duluth-Superior.
The 2015 international shipping season for the Great Lakes starts near the end of March when the Great Lakes entry-way at the Soo Locks re-opens on March 25th.
SOURCES: http://wtaq.com/news/articles/2015/jan/21/2014-great-lakes-international-shipping-season-over/
ILWU Members in Tacoma March Today in Solidarity with L.A./Long Beach Union Members
Los Angeles Councilman Joe Buscaino organized a march happening today (Jan. 22nd) of International Longshore & Warehouse Union members to protest cuts of night shifts of loading and unloading cargo ships at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
The projected number of attendees at this march in San Pedro is 5,000 people.
Now, 700 are expected to be added to that number in Tacoma where Dean McGrath, president of ILWU Local 23, is organizing a simultaneous march in solidarity.
“My fear is that we are creating irreparable damage to our ports complex which could lead to permanent loss of business because the PMA and ILWU cannot reach an agreement,” Buscaino said in an email via Press-Telegram News.
Thanks for making the situation better, Joe. Can a tone of sarcasm be read in that sentence?
The Press-Telegram quoted Buscaino as going on to say, “The fact that the Port of Tacoma has joined our ILWU community march by hosting one as well illustrates the strength and unity of the union.”
As each day passes, worries compound that the ILWU will use their strength and unity to organize a full blown strike on West Coast ports despite the fact that the ILWU and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) have been joined at the negotiation table by a federal mediator.
Congestion keeps reaching new and higher levels as the ILWU and PMA fight for leverage in contract negotiations. Further port disruptions can be expected as the ILWU marches.
