STRIKE AT THE US PORTS EASTCOAST AND GULF OF MEXICO ...

STRIKE AT THE US PORTS EASTCOAST AND GULF OF MEXICO

On October 1, 2024, the International Longshoremen’s Association (“ILA”) went on strike. The
two parties are at an impasse, with no plans to resume negotiations as of this date. Key sticking
points include automation, which the ILA opposes due to job loss concerns, and wage
demands, with the ILA seeking a 76% increase over six years, citing recent carrier profits.  

This strike is impacting ports on the East and Gulf Coasts of the United States resulting in
significant disruption to ocean transportation with delays in vessel and cargo operations. At this
time, the duration of the strike and the extent of its impact is not known. In addition to delays,
there could be changes to the ports of loading and discharge, as well as other factors, effecting
costs associated with handling, storage and transport.

Strike at USA East Coast and Gulf Coast ports ...

Strike at USA East Coast and Gulf Coast ports

Dear Clients,
please be aware, that most likely a major strike will take place in nearly all ports on the USA East and Gulf Coast. The strike has been announced to start on September 30,2024.
The current contract with the ILA (International Longshoreman Association) expires at midnight on Monday September 30th. A strike at ports from Boston, MA to Brownsville, TX is looking like it will happen. There has not been a strike at East and Gulf coast ports since 1977.
If the strike will happen, it will cause another major disruption in the supply chain and cause a myriad of problems for any cargo moving though these ports.
Many ocean carriers are not accepting any export bookings for any vessel sailing after October 1st. They are concerned about containers piling up at the ports if there is a strike.
Shipments arriving or departing via the USA west coast or Canadian ports are not expected to be impacted if there is a strike.
We are monitoring the situation closely.

Noura Zayed completes her training as a logistics and forwarding services clerk with an award ...

Noura Zayed completes her training as a logistics and forwarding services clerk with an award

A few months ago, our colleague Noura Zayed successfully completed her training as a logistics and forwarding services clerk. Due to her outstanding performance in the final examination, Noura Zayed received an award from the Association of Transport and Logistics NRW - VVWL yesterday at the IHK Münster.

Training in our company is coordinated by colleagues Alexander Hettel and Holger Schmidt. Alexander Hettel, who accompanied Noura Zayed to the event in Münster, is particularly proud that our colleague is now officially one of the best apprenticeship graduates in the state.

Comprehensive and cross-departmental training is particularly important to us at M.G. International. Trainees learn about forwarding services in all areas of logistics and with all modes of transport. Due to our international orientation, it is also completely normal for our trainees to communicate with customers and partners in several languages and to coordinate logistics projects from their first day at work.

Congratulations Noura Zayed!
We look forward to continuing our good cooperation!

Current situation at the Gulf of Aden / Red Sea *UPDATE* ...

Current situation at the Gulf of Aden / Red Sea *UPDATE*

Please read our update on the situation at the Gulf of Aden / Red Sea .link

Combined transport directly via the container terminal in Kreuztal ...

Combined transport directly via the container terminal in Kreuztal

We were recently able to send seven containers on their way to Saudi Arabia via the South Westphalian container terminal in Kreuztal. Together with our customer, we demonstrated that combined transportation (truck, rail and sea) is a real alternative to pure truck transport to the European seaports.

The Kreuztal container terminal has a potential capacity of around 45,000 loading units, which is not yet fully utilized. The infrastructure available here on our doorstep should also be given greater consideration in future for ecological reasons.

But one thing has become very clear: The processes and procedures that became apparent during this loading operation in Kreuztal would definitely not be any better in a seaport in Hamburg or Bremerhaven.

For all alternatives and the best offer on the subject of combined transport from the South Westphalian region, we will be happy to answer your questions!
True to our motto:

You Call. We Move.