East Coast Port Strike Threatens To Snarl Supply Chain

Longshoremen up and down the East Coast went on strike today, potentially disrupting the imported wine and spirits trade across the U.S. Due to a contract dispute between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance, East Coast ports began to shut down at 5 p.m. yesterday leaving wine, spirits, produce, and other goods stuck on cargo ships anchored at sea.

This is the first longshoremen’s strike in roughly 50 years, and the impact of the contract dispute is estimated in the hundreds of millions per day. A strike that lasts a few days would not create massive disruptions, according to reports, but a longer strike could create inventory gaps, especially for lower-priced wine brands that need a steady supply to keep shelves stocked. The dispute between the union and the Maritime Alliance stems from wage issues and the increasing threat of automation to the longshoreman trade..—Shane English

Tagged : International Longshoremen's Association, port strike, United States Maritime Alliance

GET YOUR FIRST LOOK AT 2025 ESTIMATES AND 2030 PROJECTIONS FOR THE WINE AND SPIRITS INDUSTRIES. ORDER YOUR 2025 IMPACT DATABANK REPORTS. CLICK HERE.