@Risk

Could the unrest in Egypt disrupt activity through the Suez Canal?

Last week, Gen. James Mattis, head of the US Central Command responsible for military operations in the region, called closure of the Suez Canal “inconceivable.” Still, if there did happen to be any disruptions, he said the US would respond “diplomatically, economically, militarily.”

Although supplies traveling through the port of Suez have not been disrupted, rising tensions are forcing several shipping companies to modify their operations. For example, some companies have ordered ships not to change crews in Egypt, and port employees must leave their posts early to comply with the government curfew that begins in the late afternoon, according to The New York Times.

Will your supply chain be disrupted? Are commodity prices likely to rise? (more…)

New proposed federal legislation, H.R. 6167, the “Shipping Act of 2010,” aims to significantly change the way that the international liner shipping industry is regulated in US foreign trades.

But, does it go too far?

The World Shipping Council (WSC) thinks so.

According to a 16-page report released by the WSC earlier this month, enacting the bill would be detrimental because the new legislation would: (more…)

While there’s no doubt that US port security has improved significantly since 9/11, we still have a long way to go.

Of course, it’s no small task to assure goods move effectively and securely through our ports –which last year serviced some 7.8 billion tons of cargo, valued at $8.6 trillion, according to the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA).
(more…)