Petaluma-Based Three Twins Can't Export Its Ice Cream Due to West Coast Port Slowdown

The folks at Three Twins Ice Cream are busy sending out pallets of their popular Petaluma-made product. While sales are strong nationwide, overseas shipments have hit a snag: the West Coast port slowdown means two big orders slated for shipment to South Korea can't get there.

“They're both sitting in shipping purgatory right now,” said Three Twins owner Neal Gottlieb.

Gottlieb said he is frustrated his first step into the global market is in jeopardy because shippers and longshoreman can't reach an agreement to get the Port of Oakland moving at full speed again.

“It's such important work,” Gottlieb said. “It's such an important link in the global supply chain. Of course they need an agreement that will work for them and their families, but think about all the other families it's affecting.”

Truck driver Jorge Esparza is really feeling the impact. With vessel operations suspended for the holiday weekend, he couldn't pick up cargo at the Port of Oakland.

“It's no work,” Esparza said. “We cannot have containers out of the port, so we don't make no money, so we bring no money to our houses.”

The folks at Three Twins are crossing their fingers the port problems will soon end so they can share their frozen dessert with the world.

“Everybody needs inconceivably delicious organic ice cream,” Gottlieb said.

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