Ocean cargo/global logistics: Evergreen Shipping Agency (America) announces downsizing
Patrick Burnson, Executive Editor -- Logistics Management, 1/5/2009
JERSEY CITY, N.J.—Citing an “economic downturn,” Evergreen Shipping Agency (America), agents for Evergreen Marine Corporation, today announced that the company will consolidate some North America offices and reduce staff.
“The worldwide economic turmoil has created a situation we have not seen in our lifetimes,” the company said in a statement to all North America employees. “The measures being taken will reduce costs and put EGA on a more sustainable structure moving forward.”
Late last year, Evergreen Line had announced capacity reductions on several trade lanes affected by a downturn in ocean shipping business due to the worldwide financial crisis.
Among the North American offices feeling the blow, will be Baltimore, Charleston, Chicago, Norfolk, and Toronto. The Salt Lake City office will close and the work will be assigned to Dallas.
Agency spokesmen said a number of new positions will open and EGA employees may apply for those spots. A severance package including salary and benefits will be given to employees whose positions will be eliminated. The changes will be implemented on or before March 15, 2009.
“It is disappointing and disheartening that we are faced with a decision that has also impacted virtually every other carrier in ocean shipping today,” EGA'’ an spokesperson said. “We are positioning EGA to survive the catastrophic economic crisis and to succeed when we recover from these difficult times.”
Ranked as the fourth largest container carrier by AXS Alphaliner, a Paris-based consultancy, Evergreen is among several leading players to make major changes in its North American front office operations. As reported in LM late last month, seventh-ranked APL said that it would be vacating its Oakland, California headquarters in 2009 in order to reduce bottom line costs.
View All On-Demand Webcasts