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Longshoremen Strike Threatens to Disrupt Caribbean Trade and Supply Chains
Tens of thousands of longshoremen went on strike at midnight on September 30, shutting down major ports along the East and Gulf coasts of the United States, a move that is set to severely impact the Caribbean’s supply chains and trade routes. The strike, which halts deliveries of crucial goods such as produce and auto parts, could trigger shortages, shipping delays, and rising costs across the Caribbean, which relies heavily on U.S. ports for imports and trade.
While businesses and logistics firms in the U.S. have taken pre-emptive steps to avoid immediate disruptions, the Caribbean’s reliance on these U.S. ports for imports means that a prolonged work stoppage could seriously strain the region’s supply chains. Analysts predict the strike could cost the U.S. economy anywhere from several hundred million dollars to $4.5 billion a day, with Caribbean nations facing their own economic challenges if goods need to be rerouted through more expensive, longer shipping channels. Higher costs would likely be passed on to consumers.
The ports impacted by the strike handle about half of all ocean imports to the U.S., and the work stoppage involves between 25,000 to 50,000 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). The broader ILA represents 85,000 workers in total. The union argues that global cargo carriers have seen massive profits since the pandemic’s supply-chain disruptions but have not fairly shared those gains with workers.
This strike follows months of escalating tensions between the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents major ocean freight companies and port operators. The union is pressing for wage increases and limits on port automation, which they believe could lead to job losses. The two sides had not resumed negotiations in the days leading up to the strike.
“The Ocean Carriers represented by USMX are enjoying billion-dollar profits in 2024, while they offer ILA workers an unacceptable wage package that we’ve rejected,” the ILA said in a statement on Monday.
USMX, for its part, said they had been in discussions with the union and were disappointed that a work stoppage couldn’t be avoided. As the strike stretches on, concerns are growing about its impact on the Caribbean, where many countries rely heavily on imports from U.S. ports. A disruption of this scale could lead to significant economic challenges for the region, which depends on timely deliveries of goods for both consumers and businesses alike.
If no resolution is reached soon, the Caribbean may face ripple effects, with delays in key goods, increased shipping costs, and potential shortages affecting industries across the region.
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Safer, Greener Schools for Virgin Islands Students Under BVI SMART Schools Project
Students across 14 public schools in the Virgin Islands returned to safer and more sustainable learning environments this term, thanks to the ongoing efforts of the BVI SMART Schools Project. This initiative, managed by the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) in partnership with the Ministry of Education and several local organizations, aims to enhance the climate resilience and sustainability of schools throughout the Territory.
The current phase of the project, funded by the European Union through the Resilience, Sustainable Energy, and Marine Biodiversity (RESEMBID) programme, builds upon previous efforts to safeguard schools by upgrading infrastructure, improving safety standards, and integrating environmentally friendly practices. By adding new partners like Green VI, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, and the BVI Red Cross, the project is working to make schools better equipped to handle climate change and disaster risks.
“With this project and the work of our partners, the goal is to ensure that schools can protect students and empower them with the tools they need to thrive in a changing world,” said Michel Ambrose, the SMART Schools Project Manager. “The upgrades are a crucial step toward that goal.”
The 14 schools involved have undergone extensive assessments and improvements to meet stringent international safety standards under DDM’s oversight. These enhancements include structural upgrades, energy and water conservation measures, and the introduction of sustainable practices such as school gardens, recycling programs, and waste reduction. Schools meeting these safety standards are certified as “Safe,” while those incorporating green practices are designated as “SMART.”
Participating schools include Alexandrina Maduro Primary, Bregado Flax Educational Centre (Primary and Secondary), Claudia Creque Educational Centre, Ebenezer Thomas Primary, Enis Adams Primary, Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary, Elmore Stoutt High, Francis Lettsome Primary, Ivan Dawson Primary, Joyce Samuel Primary, Leonora Delville Primary, Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary, and Willard Wheatley Primary.
As the BVI SMART Schools Project continues, the DDM remains committed to ensuring that all public schools are resilient, sustainable, and prepared to meet future challenges. For ongoing updates, visit the Department of Disaster Management’s website and social media channels.
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BVI Athletes to Compete in PanAmerican U23 Squash Championships
Three squash players from the British Virgin Islands (BVI) are set to compete in the PanAmerican Under-23 Squash Championships, scheduled to take place in Bucaramanga, Colombia, from October 6 to 12. The event will feature individual, doubles, and team competitions, where the young athletes will have the opportunity to compete against some of the strongest squash nations in the region.
Representing Team BVI are Luca Reich, Oliver Henderson, and Daniel Henderson. Luca, 21, is currently studying at Western University in Canada. With experience competing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the PanAmerican Senior Championships in Guatemala, Luca brings valuable international exposure to the team. His teammate, Oliver, 18, recently began his degree at Birmingham University in the United Kingdom, where he trains alongside players ranked in the top 100 of the senior world rankings. Daniel, the youngest team member at 16, is still a student at Cedar School. As the reigning Caribbean Under-17 Champion and a quarterfinalist in the U17 PanAmerican Championships, Daniel has already established himself as a promising talent in the sport.
Despite their young ages, the athletes will face strong competition from squash powerhouses such as Colombia, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Canada. Their participation in this prestigious event marks an important step in their development as they compete on the PanAmerican stage.
National Coach Adam Murrills emphasised the significance of the competition for these young players. “We’ve seen great progress from this group over the past five years, with their standout performance at the Junior Caribbean Championships, where they earned three gold medals. Competing at the PanAmerican level will be an important challenge for them. Although they are young for this category, this experience will help them bridge the gap with top-tier players over time,” Murrills stated.
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