Bigger ships and alliances cause splash in transpacific

摘要

The entry into service of bigger ships, the emergence of the major alliances, the supply-demand gap and, on the US West Coast, long-running labour contract negotiations, are all looming large on the transpacific trade. Over on the US West Coast, trade got off to a shaky start this year due to the delays and congestion resulting from the contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA). These negotiations lasted a full eight months, dragging on from last July until March this year, before finally being resolved.