The Los Angeles/Long Beach port strike has been postponed to next week—what should cross-border e-commerce sellers do in the coming days?

This postponement shifts the strike start date from 'November 1' to 'hanging over November 4–5'—offering sellers not reassurance, but a low-cost, 3–4-day window for action. The rationale rests on three layers. First, the current situation: the delay is real—and so are the underlying disagreements. On October 30, the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), representing terminal operators, and ILWU Local 26, representing approximately 250 port watchmen and security personnel, agreed to extend negotiations. The original strike commencement time—5:00 p.m. PST on November 1 on the U.S. West Coast—has thus been pushed back (as reported by Reuters, gCaptain, and the LA Daily News; media consensus places the new negotiation deadline between November 4 and 5, subject to official announcements from both parties). Two points merit attention: ① The previous temporary agreement was extended week-by-week in exactly this manner, and PMA itself acknowledges that 'major differences remain' on core issues—including wages and pensions; ② Though these watchmen constitute only ~2% of ILWU members across the two ports, under the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act, terminals cannot operate without compliant, certified security watchmen—and other ILWU members traditionally refuse to cross picket lines. The union’s notice covers eight locations: APMT, LBCT, TTI, PCT, SSA (C-60, A-90, and LB 206), and OH55. PMA cites six terminals. Collectively, these facilities handle roughly 85% of Long Beach’s cargo volume and about 33% of Los Angeles’. Second, why freight rates have already surged ahead of schedule. Last week, Drewry reported spot rates from Far East to U.S. East Coast rose +9% to USD 10,565 per FEU—the highest this year—while U.S. West Coast rates climbed +3% to USD 8,368. These increases followed the October 27 publication of strike authorization news—just two weeks prior. Carriers, anticipating risk, have preemptively imposed blank sailings and General Rate Increases (GRIs). Conversely, even if an agreement is reached next week, any rate correction would still require at least one full sailing cycle to materialize.

Port operations at the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach may be disrupted; the strike deadline is expected to be extended to November 4.

Following its earlier notice, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 26—the union representing port watchmen and security personnel—may launch a strike at the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach. As negotiations continue with the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), the previously anticipated strike date of November 1, 2026, is now expected to be extended to November 4. According to the PMA, both parties are working to finalize an agreement extending the current contract term, with an announcement anticipated on Friday, October 30. At present, no formal extension has been confirmed, nor has a final labor agreement been announced. Facilities confirmed as potentially affected include: ・APM Terminals (APMT) ・Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT) ・Terminal Island Terminal (TTI) ・SSA Marine terminals: C-60, A-90, and LB 206 ・Pacific Container Terminal (PCT) Should picket lines form during the strike, truck access may be impeded. Moreover, if other ILWU members decline to cross those lines—as is customary—the vessel operations, yard operations, and gate activities at affected terminals could grind to a halt.

Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports Extend Talks with Maritime Watchmen Union Through Nov 5

13 hours ago

The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports employer group and ILWU Local 26 union extended negotiations until November 5, averting a strike that could disrupt cargo flows at the nation's busiest container complex.

reuters

2026-10-30

Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports Extend Talks with Maritime Watchmen Union Through Nov 5

Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports Extend Talks with Maritime Watchmen Union Through Nov 5

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