AmericasPorts and Logistics

APM Terminals thrashes out a deal to move ahead with LA automation plans

After many months of strained dialogue APM Terminals has finally reached a deal with the local union in California to plough ahead with its automation plans at the Port of Los Angeles’s largest terminal.

The Maersk unit has agreed to pay for a retraining program for members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, in exchange for the workers allowing APM Terminals’ to bring in new automated equipment to its Pier 400 facility.

The port operator’s plans have created a storm of protest in recent months and been the subject of much debate across many political levels.

“This tentative agreement will help longshore workers prepare for the port jobs of the future,” the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents terminal operators, said in a statement. “It is a comprehensive, fully-paid training program to reskill and upskill longshore workers to equip them for the next generation of work on the waterfront.”

The new equipment is set to arrive from Poland later this month.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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