29 US West Coast ports likely to close

Twenty nine ports on the US West Coast are expected to temporarily suspend cargo operations today (Thursday 12 February) and on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, according to the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA).

The decision comes after recent International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) work slowdowns have proved costly, halting the movement of billions of dollars of goods with no long-term solution identified.

PMA members will temporarily suspend premium-pay weekend and holiday vessel operations.  PMA members have concluded that, on those dates, they would be paying full shifts of ILWU workers despite the severely diminished productivity while the backlog of cargo at West Coast ports grows.