LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) —  A massive strike by dockworkers along the East and Gulf coasts has the potential to trigger one of the largest supply chain disruptions since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

With 36 ports from Maine to Texas now shut down, the walkout has halted the flow of essential goods into the U.S., causing alarm for retailers, manufacturers, and consumers nationwide. The strike, involving 45,000 workers from the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) over wages and the threat of automation, could leave store shelves sparse, increase prices, and disrupt the holiday shopping season if it continues unresolved.

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Some of the first products consumers may see shortages of are seafood, alcohol, and bananas. 

Ports along the East and Gulf coasts handle a significant volume of seafood imports, including perishable items like cod from Iceland, shrimp from Ecuador, and other popular seafood from Asia, according to USA Today. With ports closed, grocery stores may soon struggle to keep fresh seafood in stock, forcing prices to rise due to the limited availability.

Alcohol, another key import, is also at risk. Wine, beer, and spirits from Europe, the Caribbean, and South America flow through these ports in large quantities. While domestic production may provide alternatives, the sheer volume of imported alcohol that passes through these ports means consumers could face limited options for their favorite brands.

Bananas, a dietary staple for many, are especially vulnerable. Roughly 75% of bananas entering the U.S. pass through the now-shuttered ports, and because the fruit is highly perishable, it is not practical to reroute shipments or switch to air freight. 

The effects of the port strike will not be limited to food and drink. 

The electronics sector, heavily reliant on imports from Southeast Asia, could see disruptions as products like cell phones and computers typically pass through East Coast ports. Auto manufacturers, particularly those dependent on European imports, may face delays in receiving crucial car parts and machinery, with the closure of the Port of Baltimore threatening bottlenecks in the supply chain. Even pharmaceuticals, though often shipped by air, could still experience delays, as many over-the-counter drugs, medical devices, and certain prescription medications rely on sea freight. 

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Experts predict the strike could cost the U.S. economy up to $5 billion per day. Each day that goods remain stuck at sea or in limbo at closed ports adds to the backlog of shipments waiting to enter the country. Even after the strike is resolved, it could take months for supply chains to recover fully. Clearing the backlog could take three to five days for each day the ports are closed, according to supply chain experts, meaning a strike that lasts several weeks could disrupt supply chains well into the new year.

Businesses that rely on exporting goods are also likely to suffer. Agricultural exporters, in particular, could face losses as perishable goods like soybeans and poultry spoil before they can reach international markets. The strike’s effects could extend far beyond just the movement of goods, leading to potential layoffs and furloughs in industries that depend on imported materials, from manufacturing to retail.

Although there is growing pressure on the federal government to intervene, the Biden administration has not yet taken steps to implement the Taft-Hartley Act, which would allow the government to reopen the ports temporarily and force both sides to continue negotiations during an 80-day cooling-off period. Instead, federal officials have emphasized the importance of continued negotiations between the ILA and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), while assuring that they are closely monitoring the situation to minimize disruptions.