A. M. 
The Corporación de Exportadores de El Salvador (COEXPORT) has expressed its concern over the longshoremen’s strike that began today in the main ports of the East Coast and the Gulf of the United States, which is having a significant impact on international logistics.
This strike, called by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) union, followed a failure to reach an agreement with the US Maritime Alliance (USMX). As a result, approximately 43% of US maritime trade has been paralyzed, severely affecting salvadoran exports.
Ports most affected include Boston, Wilmington NC, Everglades, Newark, Charleston, Tampa, Philadelphia, Savannah, Mobile, Baltimore, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Virginia, Miami and Houston. With more than 45,000 longshoremen out of work, exports transiting these critical points could face serious delays.
Analysts estimate that the global economic impact could amount to daily losses of up to US$5 billion due to the backlog of cargo ships unable to unload their goods. This situation generates concern not only locally, but also internationally.
However, some operational services outside these terminals, such as those of King Ocean, Crowley and Seaboard Marine, continue to operate normally. This is because the workers at these ports are not affiliated to the ILA union, which allows them to continue operating.
In view of this situation, COEXPORT recommends exporters to verify the continuity of operations directly with their logistics and customs service providers. It also suggests considering possible alternative routes to mitigate the impact on the supply chain.
COEXPORT is committed to keep its members informed about the evolution of the strike and to facilitate measures to help face this crisis.
