by Gilbert B Norman
Mr. Olesen, while Tampico could handle the two vessels I noted at the Saint John topic within this Forum - and that were once owned, or maybe just operated, by Maersk, could be handled at Tampico by "hombres a lo largo de la orilla", the 23K TEU vessels that the "big name" maritime companies (Maersk, One, Mediterranean, French Line) now operate, would involve lighterage - and that can get "mighty expensive, mighty fast".
And yes, I do hold that to divert vessels at sea and headed for an East Coast port would be prohibitive. With the apparent drought affecting Gatun Lake, vessels are draft restricted and there is a waiting list for vessels to transit. Considering these issues, no wonder AMLO, and surely Claudia as well (AMLO still running the show down there?) are proposing this eighty mile rail Land Bridge through the states of Oaxaca and Veracruz (also Mextrak intercity passenger service).
Meanwhile, "back up here", with $200K an average wage, considering overtime opportunities, the Longshoremen can hold out for a lot longer than can, say, hotel workers. As I noted, the strike could easily drag on until at least after the Election, as by invoking the Taft Hartley 80 day "back to work, back to the table" cool off, Joe does not wish to alienate his organized labor support that presumably has moved to Kamala. After the Election, if the strike continues, he just might, but lest we forget, labor has no use for TH either (it was never formally enacted but became law after a Congressional override of Truman's veto) as there goes their ostensible "right to strike".
So short term, no diversions of vessels at sea, but if Mexico can address their internal security issues, LC, and CPKC as the only road accessing there, could well be in the game.
Never mind that our "two Uncles", might be less than happy.
And yes, I do hold that to divert vessels at sea and headed for an East Coast port would be prohibitive. With the apparent drought affecting Gatun Lake, vessels are draft restricted and there is a waiting list for vessels to transit. Considering these issues, no wonder AMLO, and surely Claudia as well (AMLO still running the show down there?) are proposing this eighty mile rail Land Bridge through the states of Oaxaca and Veracruz (also Mextrak intercity passenger service).
Meanwhile, "back up here", with $200K an average wage, considering overtime opportunities, the Longshoremen can hold out for a lot longer than can, say, hotel workers. As I noted, the strike could easily drag on until at least after the Election, as by invoking the Taft Hartley 80 day "back to work, back to the table" cool off, Joe does not wish to alienate his organized labor support that presumably has moved to Kamala. After the Election, if the strike continues, he just might, but lest we forget, labor has no use for TH either (it was never formally enacted but became law after a Congressional override of Truman's veto) as there goes their ostensible "right to strike".
So short term, no diversions of vessels at sea, but if Mexico can address their internal security issues, LC, and CPKC as the only road accessing there, could well be in the game.
Never mind that our "two Uncles", might be less than happy.
