Apparel Shipments Hit by Slowdowns at U.S. Ports

Slowdowns at U.S. west coast ports, as part of a long-running dispute between workers and employers, are severely delaying incoming apparel and footwear shipments as the holiday season nears its peak.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) has staged slowdowns at major Pacific northwest ports Seattle and Tacoma, responsible for some 16 percent of containerized west coast cargoes.

Meanwhile, the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) has voiced concern over "rampant congestion" at Los Angeles and Long Beach, labeling the level of congestion as "untenable."