KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) says it has renewed efforts with the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) to avert industrial action against two shipping lines that have failed to make payments of benefits due to port workers in the Association’s employ at the Port of Kingston.

Industry sources have confirmed that the National Workers Union and the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, which represent the SAJ workforce, have joined in issuing notice of a withdrawal of labour from ships owned and operated by ZIM Integrated Shipping Limited and Mediterranean Shipping (MSC).

According to the SAJ, the shipping lines have failed to make payments of the Labour Assessment Charge (cess) for services provided to their vessels over a two-year period.

The SAJ says it has shown “remarkable restraint despite failing in other attempts, including negotiation directly with the two shipping lines and lobbying with government and regulatory officials to put pressure on the lines to pay.”

The association says it has also launched legal action against the shipping lines, which is slowly going through the courts.