SHIPPERS WEIGH ALTERNATIVES TO WEST COAST PORTS

SHIPPERS WEIGH ALTERNATIVES TO WEST COAST PORTS    With lingering delays in the movement of cargoes through West Coast ports, U.S. shippers are seriously considering whether to increase their use of U.S. Gulf and East Coast ports.
   Shippers using West Coast ports say they can continue to experience delays of up to two weeks in container moves.
   'East Coast and Gulf Coast all-water services will be considered seriously,' said Mark Maleski, international logistics manager for Dallas-based JCP Logistics.
   Some shippers have already diverted some cargoes away from West Coast ports, but remain hopeful the West Coast labor dispute will be settled soon.
   'If there's a resolution reached in a reasonable amount of time, it should go back to normal' with shippers relying once again heavily on West Coast ports, said John B. Ficker, logistics development manager for Weyerhaeuser Co. in Federal Way, Wash. 'But it will be up to each individual company.'
   Shippers also remain weary of possible congestion surcharges being imposed by the carriers during next year's contract season. But large shippers are expected to fight this surcharge during their contract negotiations.