German liner company Hapag-Lloyd said that sailings on its Mediterranean Pacific Service (MPS) westbound have been cancelled due to US West Coast congestion that has brought about severe delays .
As informed, there will be no sailing available from the Mediterranean to US West Coast, Canada-West Coast, Mexico-West Coast and destinations in Latin America.
The cancellations are expected to last from February 16th to March 1st.
“Depending on the development on the US West Coast port situation, we anticipate that schedule pattern will come back to more regularity as of week 10,” the company said.
The congestion is feared to reach a complete gridclock in the US West Coast ports as talks between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) drag along for the nineth month.
Two days ago, the PMA made what they called an ”All-In” offer that would increase compensation to members of the ILWU.
ILWU has not yet declared on the offer, however it pledged to keep the ports open and keep cargo flowing.
World Maritime News Staff