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Balanced Reporting. Trusted Insights.
Wednesday, April 02, 2025
An impasse in discussions over an expiring contract has dockworkers readying for a strike that could leave containers piling up at ports along the East and Gulf Coasts, force cargo ships to sit in harbors until it clears, and scramble routes for agricultural goods at a critical time of year for farmers.
Agricultural exporters are dealing with increased freight costs and trade disruptions amid ongoing conflicts in the Red Sea, industry leaders told the Federal Maritime Commission during a hearing Wednesday.
U.S. ag exporters are suffering painful losses after a union stopped work at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach amid protracted contract negotiations, according to the Agriculture Transportation Coalition.
Agricultural shippers are warily watching the ongoing contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association, fearing additional damage to a battered supply chain if the two sides don't reach an agreement in coming weeks.
With the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 advancing quickly in Congress, shipping experts have begun to turn a critical eye toward the Federal Maritime Commission – the agency responsible for regulating overseas trade.
Farm groups are concerned the Senate version of the House-passed Ocean Shipping Reform Act won't have the same strong provisions for getting U.S. farm goods onto container ships amid the supply chain crisis.
