Issue link: https://jocdigital.uberflip.com/i/334529
MAY 26.2014 TOP 100 IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS By Bill Mongelluzzo Shippers Prepare for 'What If ' Beneficial cargo owners implement contingency plans as ILWU negotiations begin CO N T R AC T TA L K S B E T W E E N West Coast waterfront employers and the International Longshore and Ware - house Union have begun, and so has contingency planning by shippers. Many beneficial cargo owners are planning to ship their freight through alternative gateways in the event of disruptions or a work stoppage on the Pacific Coast. Prudent BCOs already have put contingency plans into action, or are finalizing those plans. "It is most important that you plan early," said Dan Flaherty, vice president and general manager of port logistics at Schneider Logistics. Shippers that rely heavily on West Coast ports to handle their goods need at least 30 days to rework their supply chains, he said, and, to be safe, 60 days are more realistic. Revising a supply chain involves more than just ports of call. Production must be started earlier in Asia. Vessel space from Asia will be tight, especially to ports in Canada and on the U.S. East Coast. Trucking capacity at ports in Can- ada and on the U.S. East Coast also will be strained, whether it involves moving containers from the port to railheads in Canada, or moving containers from East Coast ports to warehouses in the