Deep Dive: Why US West Coast dockworker union negotiations could rock container shipping

Created, Produced and Hosted by Mike King

In this inaugural episode of this Deep Dive Loadstar Podcast, editor Mike King explains why war in Ukraine is not the only global trade disruptor in March 2022.

Negotiations over a new labour contract between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) pose a threat to port productivity on the US West Coast where terminals, including those located at Long Beach and Los Angeles, are already bedevilled by port congestion and long vessel delays.

Already, shippers are sourcing products in Asia earlier than normal and directing more cargo to US East Coast and Gulf terminals. But do these facilities have the capacity available to receive more ships?

And what does all this mean for global inflation, container rates and the US economy?

Guests:

Brian Whitlock, Gartner Senior Director Research Analyst

Jon Gold. Vice President, Supply Chain and Customs Policy at the National Retail Federation

Lee Klaskow, Senior Analyst for Transportation and Logistics at Bloomberg Intelligence

Peter Tirschwell, Vice President, Maritime & Trade, IHS Markit

Peter Sand, Chief Shipping Analyst, Xeneta