Chile, Belgium, and West Coast Updates

Chile:
Albatrans Chile reports that the National Association of Public employees of Chile (ANEF) called for a strike today, November 25, 2014. The strike may cause delays in the processing of shipping documents and Customs paperwork, and you will be advised directly should any of your shipments are affected.

Belgium:
Belgian unions are organizing strikes in various areas over the next month to protest various social issues. The unions will try to block key economic areas, including ports, rail stations, and industrial areas. It is expected that some trucking operations and port deliveries can be delayed due to the limited access to terminals at the port of Antwerp. The strikes are scheduled for November 24, December 1, December 8, and December 15.

US West Coast:
Congestion continues to plague the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and at least 8 vessels remain at anchor outside the port. Carriers are re-submitting notices for the congestion surcharge based gate-in date at origin on or around November 26. We are compiling details for each steamship line, and getting continual updates as to the surcharge. Some carriers are announcing the charge for all West Coast ports and some are excluding the ports of Seattle/Tacoma and Oakland. The FMC is continuing to monitor and may question the trigger mechanism and duration of the surcharge. We will continue to updates as we receive information.