SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP)  Georgia’s ports chief and the leader of a Savannah union both sounded optimistic Thursday that U.S. dock workers and shipping companies will resolve a contract dispute without a strike that would shut down seaports from Maine to Texas, including the nation’s fourth-busiest container port in Savannah.

Curtis Foltz, executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority, sprinkled praise throughout his annual State of the Port speech Thursday for the 1,500 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association who load and unload cargo at the Port of Savannah. Foltz used his closing remarks to comment on the threat of a strike if no agreement is reached by Sept. 30.