Impact on Cargo Operations and Economy

The strike had initially resulted in a backlog of cargo vessels, with the number of ships waiting off the coast escalating significantly. At one point, as many as 43 container ships were anchored, contributing to an estimated economic impact ranging from one to five billion dollars in lost activity per day. The potential for increased cargo prices due to the strike was discussed, but conflicting reports arose about price gouging, with some stakeholders accusing shipping lines of undue price hikes. Despite these concerns, retailers appear to be better prepared than during previous supply chain disruptions, having stockpiled inventory to mitigate any significant impact from the strike.