Potential strike on US mainland East Coast ports could affect Guam

A potential strike on the mainland’s East Coast ports could affect cargo shipments to Guam and other Pacific ports.

The International Longshoremen’s Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance are currently locked in a stalemate over the issue of royalties paid to workers.

The president of the Hawaii Shippers Council, Michael Hansen, says without an agreement between the groups or presidential intervention, the workers will draw the picket line on the 30th of December.

That could result in shipping companies taking their cargo to the West Coast, causing delays and congestion at those ports.

Ultimately, that means the Port Authority of Guam could see delays in shipment arrivals.

Port operations manager John Santos says whatever affects the US West Coast affects Guam.

He adds that any delays in arrivals will have an effect on the lives of any perishable goods being carried in the containers.