the cont. ships will go to gulf and east ports to unload
The union the ILWU is blaming the slowdown in part on the rail roads. They say not enough cars to move the containers. This shortage of cars has never been mentioned on any of the RR web sites I read daily. Does any one know of such a problem.
Didn't we go through this a couple years ago before the Government stepped in and ordered the workers back as being too essential to the national economy?
While reading the headlines in the Morning News, on-line (Drudge Report) a couple of headlines jumped out: "Costly Lockout Looms on US Ports" linked @ http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/dea9672e-ad4e-11e4-a5c1-00144feab7de.html#axzz3QzCHkpgM
and then "Catastrophic Shutdown" of Supply Chain" linked @ http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-02-05/catastrophic-shutdown-americas-supply-chain-looms-west-coast-port-worker-talks-break
(Second story is in a 'Blog' but seems to have a bearing here?)
Our local train traffic, on a section of the BNSF Southern Transcon seems to have taken an unexplained, increase in its level of trains through this area. Started on this last Tuesday (2/2/2015) and was noticeable as the Eastbound traffic was pushing throug on a very close headway between trains. It allseemed to be Eastbound when it got started. Now there is some returning Westbound COFC/TOFC traffic.
Point being, any kind of 'strike' on the West Coast will drastically effect our economy and railroad's profitibility, in a time when they have been experiencing growth in most facets of their business.
Do any of the Posters out West have 'a better take' on any of this?
EDIT [ to add some Content]
I did not add this at the original Post, but going back and reading it, It seems to be a farsighted, but somewhat accurate of the current situation that is brewing in West Coast Ports. It is in a 'Blog' posting; it is written by a manager at C.H. Robinson:Mr. Sri Laxmana,dated 05/20/14. Linked @ http://blog.chrobinson.com/global-transportation/whats-plan-theres-west-coast-strike/
It contains a list of possible options; IF the ILWU, and the Port's strike is not immediately resolved. The Western Canadian Ports are an option Prince Rupert and Vancouver . The Mexican Port of Lazaro Cardenas and its connection to the KCSdeM would offer a closer option for moving containers to Inland Ports for Intermodal distribution.
Seel link @ http://blog.chrobinson.com/global-transportation/whats-plan-theres-west-coast-strike/
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