Shipping firm BCL has suspended plans to change its US port to Philadelphia after a labour dispute broke out between dock workers and management at the US port.

Now the firm’s MV Oleander will continue to ship goods from New York/New Jersey’s Port Elizabeth until the dispute is settled.

A spokeswoman for the firm said: “The dispute, involving the jurisdiction of certain maintenance and repair work within the port, has the potential for disrupting stevedoring and repair services within the port.

“While BCL is not a party to this dispute, the potential consequences of the dispute may negatively impact both BCL and its customers.”

The company added that the US National Labor Relations Board is considering the dispute.

The spokeswoman added: “To continue forward with BCL’s planned move on the timeline previously announced, while this labour dispute is pending, would subject BCL’s customers to a degree of service uncertainty that is unacceptable.”

And she said: “Upon resolution of the legal issues BCL will then provide customers with ample notice before moving and will continue to keep all port service options open for consideration during this time.

“All existing transshipment contracts will and related terms with carriers will remain in effect.”

BCL said in November it would move its shipping operations to Philadelphia by the end of this month in a bid to cut costs.

The port in Philadelphia is around 90 miles south of Port Elizabeth, which BCL has used at its American port for nearly 35 years.

The change will mean that the Oleander will leave Philadelphia at noon on Fridays instead of the 4pm departure time from Port Elizabeth in order to maintain the late Sunday docking time in Bermuda for refrigerated and priority containers.

The winter schedule, where the ship arrives early on Mondays, will also remain unchanged.