October 2, 2023

Panama Canal has reduced its shipping rate again because of the current drought:

• Normal operations: 36-38 ships per day
• Current operations: 31 (max)

The canal uses fresh water to move ships through the locks.

The impact will be felt as ships slowly create a traffic jam waiting for access.

• Bankruptcy filing has to do with $19.1M (reduced from the original $93.6M) in damages awarded and ongoing law suit with Portland terminal operator International Container Terminal Services (ITCSI).
• The lawsuit is at least 10 years old.
• ITCSI continues these legal tactics as a program to eliminate the ILWU's existence.
• Arguments continue. ILWU continue to argue that were no damages from their strike-related actions.
• New contract is six-years with the Pacific Maritime Association (the coalition of employers).

• The union has liabilities from $1M-10M according to the filing.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which represents dockworkers at ports along the Pacific coast of the United States and Canada, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection just before midnight on Saturday.(FW)

According to the National Labor Relations Board, ILWU organized slowdowns at ICTSI’s Portland terminal in order to damage ICTSI's business and coerce the Port of Portland into giving ILWU longshoremen the work of plugging and unplugging reefer containers – a task normally assigned to the port’s union electricians, IBEW Local 48. The dispute covered two full-time positions (two FTE) employed on reefer-plugging duty. (Maritime Executive)