Baltimore bridge port blockade won't trigger new supply chain crisis, experts say

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The catastrophic bridge collapse that closed the Port of Baltimore to ship traffic is unlikely to trigger a major new U.S. supply chain crisis or spike goods prices, due to ample and growing spare capacity at competing East Coast ports, economists and logistics experts say. Port officials from New York to Georgia were busy on Tuesday fielding queries from shippers about diverting Baltimore-bound cargo from containers to vehicles and bulk material. East Coast ports have invested billions of dollars over the past decade to expand capacity and while the temporary closure at Baltimore may add time and cost for some companies, economists do not expect a significant macroeconomic impact. The impact on the Port of Baltimore's more than 2,000 workers who load and unload cargo vessels could be significant if the closure lasts more than a few days. One area of concern is higher shipment costs for imported cars and trucks and for exports of farm tractors and construction equipment as Baltimore is the largest U.S. port for 'roll-on, roll-off' vehicle shipments. The Dali container ship that caused the bridge collapse was involved in an Antwerp collision in 2016. The potential for an East Coast longshoreman strike in late September - at the height of Christmas-season imports - also has some shippers considering West Coast shipments.

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https://finance.yahoo.com/news/baltimore-bridge-port-blockade-wont-100600510.html