News & Insights

The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) announced today that vessel operations will be suspended at U.S. West Coast ports. The seaports, which handle some $1 trillion in trade per year, will close on Thursday, 2/12; Saturday, 2/14; Sunday, 2/15; and Monday, 2/16. However, yard, gate and rail operations will continue at terminal operators’ discretion. According to American Shipper, PMA spokesman Wade Gates said the longshoremen are continuing slowdowns “that will soon bring West Coast ports to gridlock. What they’re doing amounts to a strike with pay, and we will reduce the extent to which we pay premium rates for such a […]

February 12, 2015

As west coast port disruption continues due to the International Longshoreman and Warehouse Union labor dispute with the Pacific Maritime Association, shippers pay the price, and international transportation intermediaries need to be aware of potential liability exposures. These types of disruptions wreak havoc within the supply chain and the following consequences should be considered. 1. Accumulation: Cargo at rest is cargo at risk. Port disruption leads to cargo sitting in place on a ship, in the port, or in a warehouse facility awaiting pick-up, and the likelihood of damage or theft increases significantly as these delays mount. Shipper’s Interest Cargo Insurance […]

February 11, 2015

As of 2/5/2015, CBP reported 1,188 activity code 1 electronic Single Transaction Bonds (“eSTBs”) accepted in ACE. Of those bonds, there have been seven bond/entry matches in the system and 360 bonds have been voided. That leaves 821 eSTBs that possibly should have been paper. There are only two entry methods for which eSTBs are allowed, 1) ACE Cargo Release followed by ACE Entry Summary or 2) ACE Entry Summary Certified for ACE Cargo Release. A good rule to follow is that an eSTB is required for any entry fully processed in ACE. Any entry that is filed in ACS, even if the […]

February 10, 2015

PMA Announces Temporary Suspension of West Coast Terminals, Impact on Exporter & Importers   On Wednesday, we issued a news alert sent by Peter Friedman of FBB Relations of a projected lockout on the West Coast. Today, the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) announced its member terminals would be halting all vessel loading and unloading operations this weekend, with ports scheduled to operate again on Monday, February 9. Yard, rail and gate operations may continue operating at terminals at the terminal operators’ discretion, according to the PMA.   “In light of ongoing union slowdowns up and down the coast which have […]

February 06, 2015

News Alert Update: PMA Seeks to Break Deadlock on West Coast Port Negotiations, Avert Lockdown The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) in a press release today announced that in an effort to break the deadlock in stalled West Coast longshore negotiations, it has made an “all-in” contract offer that significantly increases compensation to members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). According to the press release, full-time ILWU workers  earn an average of $147,000 per year, and would see their wages rise roughly 3%  per year, along with fully paid health care that costs employers $35,000 per worker per year. […]

February 05, 2015

It is with mixed emotions that we announce Kathryn Sheffield’s retirement from Roanoke Trade. Kathryn began her career at Roanoke in 1999 and has been in the industry for over 25 years. In addition to managing the Property and Casualty department in Roanoke’s Houston office, she also played a key role in the Marine Cargo Department. Kathryn exceeded her clients’ and colleagues’ expectations by sharing her wealth of knowledge and her experience. There is no doubt that she was an asset to the company and leaves us with big shoes to fill! We are thrilled that Kathryn has reached this […]

February 04, 2015