Photo: Port of Los Angeles
Concern is rising among cargo owners and logistics providers that a strike at the Los Angeles/Long Beach port complex could turbo-charge the congestion there into disruption across the US.
About 250 watchmen, who perform security-related duties at container terminals at the twin ports, are poised to walk off the job at 5pm Pacific time on Wednesday, should last-minute contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) fail to reach agreement.
Watchmen have been working under contract extensions since the agreement expired in July 2025. Union members had authorised a strike for 1 November, but both sides agreed to extend negotiations until 4 November.
According to the PMA, a work stoppage would affect 85% of the container traffic at the port of Long Beach and 33% at Los Angeles.
Ted Chen, ocean freight and trade compliance director at logistics provider Dimerco, said there was a high likelihood that other port employees would support the strike, a concern echoed by forwarder Woodland Group.
“Other ILWU members may decline to cross picket lines established by striking security workers, potentially preventing normal operations at affected terminals,” it warned customers.
“Should this occur, disruption could extend to vessel loading and unloading, container handling, terminal gate activity and the movement of cargo between port facilities and inland transport networks. The actual scale of any interruption would depend on the terminals affected, the participation of other workers and the duration of industrial action.”
,Moreover, the disruption would aggravate congestion that has resulted in extended dwell times for rail cargo at several of the affected terminals.
A spokesman for AIT Worldwide Logistics said: “The larger concern in the near term is how quickly congestion could build if there is a labour disruption, particularly given the existing pressure on inland rail.”
Shippers are worried added AIT’s spokesman. He added: “We are hearing increased concern and requests for contingency planning from customers, especially those with time-sensitive freight, who are evaluating alternative gateways and air options.
“However, there’s no significant shift so far in routing, and certainly no broad migration away from LA/LB,” he said.
Dimerco has advised clients to expedite the pick-up and delivery of containers, if possible, but does not advocate alternative routings at this point.
“We have not heard anything definitive that suggests the strike may go longer than desired,” Mr Chen said.
Likewise, Woodland is not urging clients to trigger alternative routings. It advised them to review time-sensitive cargo movements, confirm terminal operating arrangements, and monitor changes to scheduled collections, deliveries, and vessel services.