Did the ILA strike completely close the East and Gulf Coast ports? We asked.

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Port strikes at ports on the East and Gulf Coasts limited terminal operations on Tuesday, increasing fears about the duration and impact of the disruption.

The International Longshoremen's Association began a strike shortly after noon ET on Tuesday after the union's master contract with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) expired. While both the ILA and USMX exchanged counteroffers 24 hours before the strike began, the union rejected a wage package, saying it was inadequate.

“The ILA intends to continue demonstrations around the clock and until the United States Maritime Alliance can meet the demands of ILA rank-and-file members,” the ILA said in a statement on Tuesday.

In announcing the strike, the union said it would “close all ports from Maine to Texas.” In response, Supply Chain Dive contacted several major ports on the East and Gulf Coasts to clarify their operational status. As the day progressed, it became clear that while the strike would have widespread impact, some ports were still handling select goods.

Here's what we learned Tuesday afternoon about the status of several ports on the East and Gulf Coasts.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

The port told Supply Chain Dive that any terminal that uses ILA labor to move containers is closed, citing the list of container terminals on its website. Social media posts from the union show members demonstrating at several terminals, including the Port Newark Container Terminal, APM Terminals and Maher Terminals.

In an update on October 1, the port said that “due to the ILA strike, all container and automotive terminals, depots and train stations are closed.”

Port Houston

The Bayport and Barbours Cut container terminals in Port Houston are closed for container handling services, a spokesperson told Supply Chain Dive.

Georgia Ports Authority

The port did not provide details about which terminals were open or closed, but a spokesman said: “We respect the contract negotiation process as our ports are closed today.”

The Port of Virginia

The East Coast port said in an Oct. 1 update that the following facilities would remain closed until an agreement is reached:

Norfolk International Terminals
Virginia International Gateway
Newport News Marine Terminal
Pinners Point Container Yard
Portsmouth Chassis Yard
Refrigeration service area
The damage appendix

However, the Virginia Port Authority, Virginia International Terminals and Hampton Roads Chassis Pool II offices are open on their regular schedule. The Richmond Marine Terminal, Portsmouth Marine Terminal and Virginia Inland Port will also continue to operate, but cargo operations will be impacted.

The Port of Virginia said it will continue to provide live updates and stay in touch with customers and partners about the status of its operations.

South Carolina Port Authority

According to an update released Oct. 1, South Carolina Ports Authority marine terminals are closed until further notice.

“Following the business interruption, SC Ports and our maritime industry partners will deploy all possible resources to enable a rapid recovery of business. The measures will be implemented based on the operating conditions and needs of the terminal, as well as the duration of the disruption,” the port said.

Jacksonville Port Authority

“All JAXPORT terminal operators are open except one, SSA Jacksonville. SSA is closed today due to the strike,” a port spokesperson told Supply Chain Dive.

Port Everglades

At Port Everglades, a few terminals were affected by the strike: the privately operated Florida International Terminal and Mediterranean Shipping Company/Port Everglades Terminal LLC, a spokesman said, but the port remains open for business.

“We have cargo from petroleum to cement to aggregates, among other things, still moving. In addition, our cruises will continue to take place,” the spokesman added.

PortMiami

The Port of Miami Terminal Operating Company and the South Florida Container Terminal are closed, while Seaboard Marine is open.

As of Tuesday morning, a total of 150 to 200 workers were in the port's two First Amendment zones, a spokesperson told Supply Chain Dive via email

The First Amendment zones were designated by the port as areas where ILA members could exercise their rights to strike and strike without interfering with port access or operations.

Port of Baltimore

The strike affects six public marine terminals at the Port of Baltimore managed by the Maryland Port Administration, a spokesman said.

Ports of North Carolina

North Carolina Ports General Manager Brian Clark provided Supply Chain Dive with the following operational update:

The Port of Wilmington's south container gate will remain closed to the pickup or delivery of cargo until an agreement is reached.
The Charlotte Inland Port is operating as usual.
There will be no general cargo ship operations until further notice.
There will also be no intermodal rail freight on or off rail at the Port of Wilmington during the strike.

Still, general cargo traffic at the North Gate of the Port of Wilmington and the Port of Morehead City will operate on a normal schedule, he added. Tenant operations and general cargo storage operations also continue as usual in both ports.

Boston Harbor

The Conley Container Terminal is down, a spokesperson said in a phone call with Supply Chain Dive.

Alabama Port Authority

The APM terminal at the Port of Mobile is the only container terminal that is not functioning, a spokesman said.

The Port of Mobile is both a landlord and an operational port with several different types of terminals, the spokesperson added.

The Port of Philadelphia

Below is the list of terminals that are currently not operational, according to a port spokesperson:

Packer Avenue Marine Terminal
Tioga Marine Terminal
Pier 122
Pier 80

Maine Port Authority

A port spokesman recommended that Supply Chain Dive contact ILA Local 861 or ILA Chief of Staff and Director of Public Affairs Jim McNamara.

The union did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication.

Port Tampa Bay

“Ports America, the container terminal operator at Port Tampa Bay and a member of USMX, has communicated with its customers impacted by the strike,” a spokesperson said.

When asked, the port did not provide any information about which terminals or port operations were affected by the strike.

Port Wilmington

The Port of Delaware did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication.

Did the ILA strike completely close the East and Gulf Coast ports? We asked.