USDOT Readout of Call with Supply Chain Stakeholders on Disruptions Caused by Red Sea Attacks

On Thursday, members of the U.S Department of Transportation’s Office of Multimodal Freight held a call with stakeholders across the United States supply chain on issues and disruptions stemming from the ongoing situation in the southern Red Sea and western Gulf of Aden. The Maritime Administration emphasized the continued threat to commercial vessels operating in and around the Red Sea and announced a forthcoming Maritime Advisory update for vessels operating in that area. 

Industry participants shared that they are beginning to see isolated challenges and expect increased congestion at some U.S. container ports in the next four to six weeks as shippers re-route cargo to avoid the Red Sea. Federal government and industry stakeholders shared how lessons learned from handling supply chain bottlenecks brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic are helping inform response to the current challenges, especially in anticipation of a possible surge in carriers headed to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Participants expressed appreciation for the Department’s efforts to bring people together and prepare for potential congestion before it occurs.