RAILROADS EMBARGO OCEAN CONTAINER TRANSPORT IN WEST COAST PORTS

RAILROADS EMBARGO OCEAN CONTAINER TRANSPORT IN WEST COAST PORTS    The Association of American Railroads issued an embargo late Monday on the transport of all ocean container traffic to seaports in California, Oregon and Washington due to the breakdown in labor contract negotiations between the International Longshore & Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association.
   “The AAR is taking this action to minimize the congestion and disruption in service that would be caused if traffic continued to flow to the West Coast with no outlet,” said Edward R. Hamberger, president and chief executive officer of the AAR.
   “Already dozens of trains loaded with cargo cannot be unloaded at the West Coast ports,” he said. “Putting more trains in the queue would only cause congestion in the West and a shortage of equipment in the East.”
   “While this step will help us ensure that the entire network remains fluid, we hope this dispute can be resolved soon and the nation’s railroads can resume service to West Coast ports and the international markets they reach,” Hamberger added.
   The ocean container embargo includes West Coast railroads Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Los Angeles Junction and Tacoma Municipal Belt Line.