News – ACSA

2025 Journal of Commerce ARO

Posted on 7th January 20258th January 2025 by Caroline Berry

The Journal of Commerce has released its Annual Review and Outlook (ARO) issue for 2025. This publication highlights key industry leaders and organizations, showcasing their contributions and insights into the evolving landscape of global trade and logistics.

Michael Symonanis, chairman of the ACSA Transportation & Insurance Committee, is a contributor to the 2025 ARO where he states, “Timely issuance of clean ocean bills of lading and consistent CRW notifications will be essential to guarantee smoother operations across the supply chain, ensuring U.S. containerized exports, such as cotton, remain competitive against foreign competitors.” (p. 12)

Other ACSA members are also featured, such as Georgia Ports Authority (p. 40), IMC Companies (p. 77), Port of Long Beach (p. 48), and Port of Los Angeles (p. 48).

More here.

Port Strike Updates

Posted on 7th January 20257th January 2025 by Caroline Berry

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) reached a tentative agreement to extend the Master Contract until January 15, 2025.

A press report from yesterday indicates that key leadership from the ILA and the USMX held a “secret meeting” on Sunday to try to make headway on the automation issue in advance of the negotiations that resume today. More here.

Articles of Interest

ILA union and port owners held secret meeting on automation as new strike looms, CNBC (1/6)
Reality Check: Inside the Debate Over Automation at America’s Ports, gCaptain (1/6)
Dockworkers resume labor talks, focusing on automation at ports, Fast Company (1/6)
US east coast port talks set to resume, Splash 247.com (1/6)
Strike threat lingers at ports as January 15 deadline nears, DC Velocity (1/6)
Report: ILA, USMX met on port automation, FreightWaves (1/7)

ACSA Update: The Week Ahead

Posted on 6th January 20257th January 2025 by Caroline Berry

Please use the link below for a glance at the upcoming events for the week of January 6.

Document here.

Ag Trade Groups Urge Action on Port Labor Dispute

Posted on 20th December 202420th December 2024 by Caroline Berry

Agricultural trade groups, including the American Cotton Shippers Association, have urged President Biden and President-elect Trump to address labor disputes at East and Gulf Coast ports. In letters sent yesterday, the group highlighted the urgency of a new agreement between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance before the contract expires on January 15, 2025. The groups warned that prolonged shutdowns could disrupt $1.4 billion in weekly agricultural trade, with 40% of U.S. agricultural exports dependent on these ports, and harm U.S. competitiveness.

Letter to President Biden here.

Letter to President-elect Trump here.

Joint Coalition Letter to ILA & USMX

Posted on 6th December 20246th December 2024 by Caroline Berry

The American Cotton Shippers Association, along with over 260 local, state, and federal trade associations, signed onto a letter urging the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) to resume contract negotiations.

Letter here.

CBP Update Isotopic Testing Guidance

Posted on 13th November 202413th November 2024 by Caroline Berry

Last week, the Customs Border Protection (CBP) released updated guidance on isotopic testing, as the agency seeks to find more efficient mechanisms for determining the origin of cotton within U.S. textile imports. The document states “… CBP is enhancing its isotopic testing capabilities at three of its laboratories. As a result of these efforts, CBP will not only be able to conduct more tests, but also obtain results more rapidly. However, even with these additional investments, CBP will have limited testing resources and does not have the capacity to test all U.S imports. This is why CBP continues to encourage the inclusion of private sector testing in importer due diligence programs to help identify and manage risk.”

Fact sheet here.

Briefing on Hurricane Helene

Posted on 29th October 2024 by Caroline Berry

On October 28, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) held a briefing on the coordinated inter-agency response to the agricultural impact of Hurricane Helene. See below for takeaways, discussion points, and other details.

More here.

Joint Coalition Letter to President Biden

Posted on 2nd October 20242nd October 2024 by Caroline Berry

Today, a letter was sent to President Biden, signed by the American Cotton Shippers Association and more than 270 other local, state, and federal trade associations. The letter urged President Biden and his administration to use all of its authorities to end the port strike, get the ports open, and get the parties back to the negotiating table.

Letter here.

Letter on Shipping Disruptions

Posted on 27th September 202427th September 2024 by Caroline Berry

The American Cotton Shippers Association and almost 200 other organizations sent a letter to President Biden today, urging the Administration to “urgently pursue all avenues to mitigate the supply chain challenges facing U.S. agriculture.” With a significant portion of the U.S. cotton crop being exported out of the East Coast and Gulf Coast, a port strike would be detrimental to our ability to get U.S. cotton to our international customers.

Letter here.

Letter on East and Gulf Coast Port Operations

Posted on 25th September 202425th September 2024 by Caroline Berry

Today, the American Cotton Shippers and 55 other agricultural stakeholders sent a letter to the Biden administration asking them to “act before a lockout or strike occurs to prevent damage to U.S. agriculture and the economy.”

Letter here.