Customs Officers Strike in Brazil – Major ports in Brazil are being disrupted due to a strike by Brazilian customs officers, causing a significant slowdown in the clearance of imported goods. So far, operations are being affected at the ports of Santos, Paranagua, Salvador, Manaus, Santarem, Santana and Itacoatiara. Customs officers are demanding better salaries and working conditions and have warned that if the negotiations are unsuccessful they will expand their strike, crippling the country’s supply chains.
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Port of Long Beach Considers New Incentive Programs – The Board of Harbor Commissioners is considering two new incentive programs aimed at attracting more business to the Port of Long Beach. One program would allow shippers to save daily dockage fees and the other would give shippers discounts on rail cargo fees if they go through Long Beach.
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Truckers Strike in South Korea – A truck strike over working conditions in South Korea is paralyzing import and export trade in most ports, including the Port of Busan. Unionized truck drivers began their nationwide strike on Monday and claim the government has defaulted on a promise to improve working conditions. The government has labeled the strike illegal.
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Dispute in Portland Boosts Shipping Costs – Container ships are currently avoiding calling the Port of Portland due to a 3 week old labor dispute. Therefore, companies that export agricultural products are confronting higher costs to get their cargo to alternate ports and ultimately to Asia. More than 1,000 regional businesses depend on the container terminal to get their goods to or from international markets.
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