The ILWU (International Longshoremen Worker’s Union) six year contract with the West Coast terminal operators is set to expire on July 1, 2014. The ultimate result is unknown. However, the steamship lines or container companies are already taking action in anticipation of what they call congestion on the west coast ports. Without any negative impact already occurring and without any information as to how this would relieve the negative impact of congestion, the carriers are already announcing 20-30% price increases deemed congestion surcharges starting May 1. APL and Maersk have already announced. No indication is given as to how this will help solve the anticipated problem. They are simply price gouging. Prevent the cost of all imported goods being raised for no just reason.
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