Contingency plans for anchorage congestion

31 Jul 2015 / United States, Los Angeles

The Vessel Traffic Service of Los Angeles & Long Beach has advised of contingency plans in the case that all the ports' anchorages fill up. Contingency Anchorages will be opened up if all the Regular Anchorages become fully occupied. If these also fill up, pre-planned Drift Boxes offshore - which were used during the congestion experienced at the ports in 2004 - will be made available. This comes after U.S. West Coast marine terminals' announcement that they would suspend vessel operations to concentrate on clearing containers from the dangerously congested facilities. Marine terminals continue to experience severe congestion, which the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) says is a result of on-going International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) slowdowns. Contract negotiations between the PMA and ILWU � now in their ninth month - continue to drag on despite the involvement of a federal mediator. For further details and information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at [email protected]

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