Automation divides US ports

News Story
- 4 Aug 2022 ( #1088 ) - United States
1 min read
APM Los Angeles
APM Los Angeles

Tensions between ports and harbour workers are rising in the United States as contract negotiations drag on.

Negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and employer group Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) are strained, with automation of container-handling machinery emerging as a major stumbling block.

The PMA wants to expand the use of remotely controlled cranes, claiming that “increasing automation will enable the largest West Coast ports to remain competitive, facilitate both cargo and job growth, and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to meet stringent local environmental standards”.

The ILWU disputes the conclusion, arguing that port automation eliminates jobs.

In its 2002 contract, the ILWU agreed to computerised process automation. In 2008, in exchange for a nearly USD900 million addition to its pension fund and other retirement benefits, the union agreed that operators, at their discretion, could implement machine automation.

According to media analysis, in 2016, the TraPac terminal in Los Angeles became the first US port to automate. Since then, a portion of the APM Terminal facility in Los Angeles has been semi-automated and the Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT) is nearing full automation.  

The ILWU is asking operators to hold off on further automation in the San Pedro Bay ports. 

New Vado Gateway terminal opened
New Vado Gateway terminal opened 19 Dec 2019 - Vado Ligure, Italy - 2 min read
HIT goes automatic
HIT goes automatic 8 Feb 2018 - Hong Kong - 1 min read
DP World Yarimca upgrades RTGs
DP World Yarimca upgrades RTGs 16 Nov 2017 - Kocaeli, Turkey - 1 min read
Do you have materials handling news? Submit your news here
Inside The News
As part of Forkliftaction’s 25th anniversary celebrations, we have dug into the archive and, over the next year, will be highlighting a carefully curated selection of historical stories we have published over this time... Continue reading

PREMIUM business

Tailift Material Handling Taiwan Co.,Ltd.
Focused simply for the new era.

“Over the years, your platform has played a key role in expanding our global presence — connecting us with industry professionals and promoting our advanced products, including our 50T electric forklift...Forkliftaction has helped us stay informed and competitive in a rapidly evolving market…”  - Bill Cai, Director, Overseas Division, Fujian Southchina Heavy Machinery Manufacture Co., Ltd

Thanks for your support! Read the full testimonial & more industry messages ♥ here.

Words of support …

After advertising with Forkliftaction.com, we got many enquiries regarding interest to be our distributor. Mostly from Europe and USA but including a few in ASEAN. We feel that the advertisement was useful and good for market expansion.

Lawrence Xu, Assistant Sales Manager

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

“Over the years, your platform has played a key role in expanding our global presence — connecting us with industry professionals and promoting our advanced products, including our 50T electric forklift...Forkliftaction has helped us stay informed and competitive in a rapidly evolving market…”  - Bill Cai, Director, Overseas Division, Fujian Southchina Heavy Machinery Manufacture Co., Ltd

Thanks for your support! Read the full testimonial & more industry messages ♥ here.

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

“Over the years, your platform has played a key role in expanding our global presence — connecting us with industry professionals and promoting our advanced products, including our 50T electric forklift...Forkliftaction has helped us stay informed and competitive in a rapidly evolving market…”  - Bill Cai, Director, Overseas Division, Fujian Southchina Heavy Machinery Manufacture Co., Ltd

Thanks for your support! Read the full testimonial & more industry messages ♥ here.