Spotlight first berth at Tuas on July 1 and will open a second berth in October and a third berth in December , Singapore Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat told local legislators July 2 . “ If the increase in demand is sustained , PSA will also expedite and bring forward the development of additional capacity ,” Hong Tat added . The port had become a major chokepoint in the last few months as ocean carriers grappled with service and schedule disruptions due to vessel diversions around Southern Africa to avoid drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea .

Charleston clears backlog

The South Carolina Ports Authority ( SC Ports ) has cleared a backlog of container ships at Charleston that numbered between 15 and 20 in June . But the port authority warns it is likely some inbound vessels will have to sit at anchor over the next few months because Charleston ’ s Wando Welch Terminal will be operating with two berths instead of three through November owing to construction work . The port was able to handle all the recently anchored vessels , helped by a temporary reopening of all Wando Welch ’ s berths amid a 10-day pause in the project work . Construction work resumed July 15 ,

Max Lindenthaler / Shutterstock . com

again taking down a berth at Wando , but a port spokesperson said any delays will be minimal until August due to the nature of the work . In August , customers should expect 48-hour delays getting into the port ; those delays could extend into September and October , depending on import volumes and progress made on the full opening of the Hugh K . Leatherman marine terminal .

Labor tribunal prevents Vancouver strike

Canada ’ s labor tribunal in early July ruled that a strike vote by union longshore foremen against DP World ’ s terminal at the Port of Vancouver was illegal , heading off maritime employers ’ threat to shut out workers at Canada ’ s largest container gateway in response . The British Columbia Maritime Employer ’ s Association ( BCMEA ) called on the Canada Industrial Relations Board ( CIRB ) to hold a hearing July 7 . Local 514 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union ( ILWU ) Canada had issued a 72-hour strike against DP World Centerm two days earlier . The CIRB found that Local 514 “ failed to bargain in good faith when it conducted a strike vote among the employees of only one member employers of the BCMEA and issued a strike notice based on that strike vote .” The strike vote came ahead of a CIRB hearing scheduled for August about a complaint the BCMEA filed against Local 514 alleging the union was “ protracting negotiations over ” a new contract . In the event the union prevailed at the CIRB , the BCMEA said it was prepared to issue a port-wide lockout that would have shut down all cargo operations , except grain and cruise ships . Although both are part of the international union , ILWU Canada negotiates separately from the ILWU on the US West Coast .

A quarterly in-depth analysis of transport trends in the multipurpose and heavy-lift fleet market .

Exclusively available to Gold Subscribers

64380 www . joc . com July 29 , 2024 | Journal of Commerce 7