Shipping firm BCL has suspended plans to change its US port
to Philadelphia after a labour dispute broke out between dock workers and
management at the US port.
Now the firm’s MV Oleander will continue to ship goods from
New York/New Jersey’s Port Elizabeth until the dispute is settled.
A spokeswoman for the firm said: “The dispute, involving the
jurisdiction of certain maintenance and repair work within the port, has the
potential for disrupting stevedoring and repair services within the port.
“While BCL is not a party to this dispute, the potential
consequences of the dispute may negatively impact both BCL and its customers.”
The company added that the US National Labor Relations Board
is considering the dispute.
The spokeswoman added: “To continue forward with BCL’s
planned move on the timeline previously announced, while this labour dispute is
pending, would subject BCL’s customers to a degree of service uncertainty that
is unacceptable.”
And she said: “Upon resolution of the legal issues BCL will
then provide customers with ample notice before moving and will continue to
keep all port service options open for consideration during this time.
“All existing transshipment contracts will and related terms
with carriers will remain in effect.”
BCL said in November it would move its shipping operations
to Philadelphia by the end of this month in a bid to cut costs.
The port in Philadelphia is around 90 miles south of Port
Elizabeth, which BCL has used at its American port for nearly 35 years.
The change will mean that the Oleander will leave
Philadelphia at noon on Fridays instead of the 4pm departure time from Port
Elizabeth in order to maintain the late Sunday docking time in Bermuda for refrigerated
and priority containers.
The winter schedule, where the ship arrives early on
Mondays, will also remain unchanged.
Source: Royal
Gazette
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