SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 28, 2012 (RISI) -An additional one-week extension is now set for labor contract negotiations involving port workers and employers at 15 East and Gulf coast ports, according to the dockworkers' union.

Initial reports this morning said the contract extension for the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the US Maritime Alliance (USMX) was from Dec. 29 to Jan. 28.

Now, the ILA confirmed that the contract extension is until Feb. 6.

Further, in a note to customers, global shipping firm APL said "negotiations between the ILA and the USMX will continue, as an agreement to extend the present contract until midnight, Feb. 6, has been reached. APL remains committed to engaging in meaningful negotiations that will lead to agreement on a new Master Contract with the assistance of the federal mediator."