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07/07/08 - ILWU labor update

Talks will resume today between the ILWU and the PMA on the contract that expired 7/1.  Work is expected to continue uninterrupted for a while at the west coast ports while negotiations continue.  Agreement on health benefits has already been reached, which is often a contentious issue.  Items regarding safety and productivity remain to be decided.  We will keep you posted as things develop.
 

07/01/08 - ILWU labor negotiations update

The current labor negotiations between the steamship lines and the Longshore union have not resulted in an agreement at this time.  However, the negotiations have been progressing and the current contract is being extended to keep operations unaffected.  Nothing is expected over the next week due to the July 4 and ILWU Bloody Thursday July 5th holidays.  The next general ILWU meeting to vote on a tentative contract is scheduled for July 14th.  The current contract was due to expire today.


06/18/08 - Fuel Surcharge adjustment and labor update

Matson Navigation announced an adjustment to their ocean fuel surcharge.  Effective 7/13, the surcharge will increase to 38.25 percent.  Please check the link above periodically for updates to the fuel surcharge.

We have been watching the labor negotiations between the steamship lines and the Longshoremen's union.   The current contract expires July 1.  There has been little to note here since the negotiations are progressing and appear that an agreement will be reached without a labor stoppage.  We will update with any important information as we get it.

The July 4th holiday will have little impact on the sailing schedule.  As with most companies, we will be closed on Friday July 4th.  Our freight cutoff will be Thursday and all containers will be in the harbor Thursday night.  Matson will be working on the 4th and expect to have the Saturday vessel depart on time early Saturday morning.  The west coast port Longshoremen will honor their Bloody Thursday holiday on Saturday July 5 and the ports will be closed.  No delays due to the holidays are expected.

 
05/29/08 - Additions to the Aloha Freight team

Aloha has made several additions to our team in Hawaii.  We welcome two new account managers, Shari Robinson and Melissa Lukacs.  They both have extensive experience and will add to the top-notch service that Aloha is able to provide for our customers.  We also formally announce the addition of Bob Thomas to our Hawaii team.  Bob started with Aloha in January and is our new General Manager.  We are thrilled to have them in the Aloha Freight o'hana.
 

05/01/08 - West Coast Longshoremen take one day strike

The Longshoreman on the west coast have gone on strike today.  The strike action is intended to show the union's displeasure with the war in Iraq.  The union claims this action is not an organized strike but an individual worker's choice to skip work.  However, the entire workforce on the west coast failed to show for work except for a few people to work a cruise ship.

Matson expects all workers to be on the job tomorrow.  Although they don't expect delays in the Long Beach departure on Saturday, we feel the Long Beach ship will depart at least several hours later than usual.  The Oakland vessel will depart late and will arrive late next week in Honolulu.  This will impact unloading of the Long Beach ship when it arrives.  The deliveries that would normally be accomplished next Thursday may be delayed one day.


02/14/2008 - Update on Mahimahi scheduled due 2/13

The vessel will arrive Thursday night, more than 24 hours behind schedule due to the previously mentioned mechanical delays.  We will unload as many available containers we can on Friday and make deliveries.  We will continue to pull containers and unload over the weekend.  With Monday being a holiday for many companies, they will be unable to receive deliveries.  This will impact deliveries for the subsequent Sunday evening arrival of the Maunawili which will begin discharging on Monday.


02/09/2008 - Vessel delay

The vessel that was scheduled to depart early this morning has been delayed.  Matson had a mechanical problem with another vessel and it has affected their entire schedule.  The ship will not sail until Sunday afternoon at the earliest.  As of 0800 today, they had not been able to even start loading the ship.  The soonest any deliveries can be made for shipments on this ship will be Friday.


01/22/08 - Vessel departure delay


The RJ Pfeiffer 329 is the next scheduled departure from Long Beach and would normally leave on Wednesday.  It is behind schedule and will not depart Long Beach until Thursday night.  This will move the arrival in Honolulu back to Tuesday, around midnight, putting all deliveries behind 2 days.

We will do everything we can to expedite all shipments.  One slight benefit from this is that we can load non-hazardous freight that is received Wednesday morning on the sailing.  Wednesday freight would normally sail out on Saturday.


12/06/07 - Severe weather over the Pacific

The severe weather that we previously discussed is affecting the transit of the ships.  The scheduled vessel arrival this morning in Honolulu was delayed until this evening.  Containers that would normally be available to us for delivery this morning will not be available until Friday morning.  We sure wish we had some control over the weather and appreciate your patience.  The weather will undoubtedly affect the Wednesday departure from Long Beach that would normally arrive Sunday night.  It is also having some affect on inter-island barge and vessel connections.

A Matson vessel that was departing Seattle encountered serious weather.  Before it was even out into the open Pacific, the windows of the pilothouse were smashed from the heavy seas.  The ship had to return to port.  This is the same weather that has hit the Northwest with flooding and closing of the I-5 in Washington.  Aloha had a container on that vessel.  It will be delayed a week until another vessel calls on the port.


12/05/07 - Severe weather in Hawaii

Hawaii is being pummeled by a strong storm system today and it is expected to continue through tomorrow.  A high wind warning has been issued for 25-40 mph winds.  Some deliveries on Oahu are being affected.  Maui shipments are delayed at least one day.  The Maui office closed mid day due to the severe weather.  A flash flood watch is in effect for the entire state through Thursday.


12/04/07 - General rate increase for 2008

Matson Navigation has announced their annual General Rate Increase.  They have increased several components of their rates, primarily the Terminal Handling Charge and the base container rates.  Together, the increase equates to approximately a 6.5% increase.  The effective date is January 6.  At that time, Aloha will also adjust our local pickup and delivery rates.  We don't carry a fuel surcharge on the Hawaii charges, so those rates are increasing 8% or more primarily due to increased fuel costs.  Your account manager should be contacting you with specific rate information.




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