US retailers in White House plea over port strikes
US retailers and manufacturers have appealed for White House intervention over the threat of industrial action across West Coast ports.
The call came from the National Retail Federation (NRF), whose members include leading US retailers and manufacturers, reports Reuters. It follows the closure of the Port of Long Beach in California, with dock workers demanding better pay.
The closure forced several terminals to halt operations and impacted cargo flows at other facilities, including terminals at Los Angeles and Long Beach, as well as the ports of Oakland, Hueneme and Seattle.
The NRF’s wider concern is about the future of more than 22,000 dockworkers at ports stretching from California to Washington state, who have been working without a contract since last July, reports portcalls.com.
“We urge the administration to mediate to ensure the parties quickly finalise a new contract without additional disruptions,” said David French, NRF Senior VP of Government Relations.
NRF members represent an industry that accounts for about half of the volume at US container ports, writes portcalls.com, and is gearing up for back-to-school, Christmas and other key sales events.
Port of Long Beach executive director Mario Cordero urged both the ILWU and PMA “to continue negotiating in good faith toward a fair agreement”. The Retail Industry Leaders Association echoed this appeal and urged the federal government to intervene if there is no progress, Loadstar reported.
“If this work stoppage drags on and contract negotiations continue to falter, the Biden-Harris administration must step in and broker a deal,” said supply chain executive Jessica Dankert, VP Supply Chain at Retail Industry Leaders Association.
Elsewhere, National Association of Manufacturers CEO Jay Timmons also implored the White House to act, Reuters reported.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration continues “to closely monitor the situation and encourages all sides to work to reach a fair contract”.
Australia & Singapore green shipping channel deal
Australia and Singapore are seeking to create a green and digital shipping corridor by the end of 2025, reports porttechnology.org.
The move is a collaboration between Australia’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
The bodies are working with port operators, relevant jurisdictions and maritime and energy value chain stakeholders on both sides to see the corridor established.
The corridor will see the establishment of low and zero-carbon fuel supply chains. It will also involve the ‘greening’ of port services and shipping operations, to accelerate the development and uptake of green marine fuel sources.
The collaboration will also see digital shipping solutions deployed to improve the flow of goods, and to facilitate paperless handling between the ports of Australia and Singapore.
CH Robinson appoints Ford's Bozeman as new CEO
US logistics giant CH Robinson has announced David Bozeman as its new CEO. Bozeman will take office on June 26.
Bozeman brings 30 years’ top-level experience to the role, having worked across supply chains, middle-mile transportation, manufacturing, digital and customer service.
He most recently served in the Ford Motor Company as VP Customer Service Division, and VP Enthusiast Vehicles, where he oversaw business performance for some of Ford’s most notable brands.
Before joining Ford, Bozeman was VP, Amazon Transportation Services, where he led supply chain optimisation for customer delivery across Amazon’s global operations.
CH Robinson Chair of the Board of Directors, Jodee Kozlak, said: “Dave has a strong track record of reinventing complex operating models, and has proven expertise in global supply chain and logistics management.”
Bozeman said: “I am confident we can build on a strong existing foundation and execute on significant growth opportunities CH Robinson.”
