There’s already a queue of cargo ships backing up at US ports

Each one of those ships represents a company losing money, according to Pace University professor Andrew Coggins.

“The whole business model of the container shipping industry is to spend as little time in port as possible,” he told Business Insider.

“The ship makes money when it’s sailing from A to B,” he added, saying that some vessels are likely adjusting their speeds in order to delay their arrival as long as possible, so as not to sit idly at anchor.

But even if the strike were to end tomorrow — which is extremely unlikely — a new problem emerges: dock space.

Burt Flickinger, managing director at retail consulting firm Strategic Resource Group, said only about 8-12 ships ordinarily are in a port’s queue at any time, and those are typically turned around in a matter of hours.

He also estimates that only around 15% of Eastern US cargo volumes could feasibly be rerouted to Western ports, although unionized workers there would still not accept it during the strike.

“If [the strike] goes into next week, each passing week will lead to half a month to a month’s backlog processing, and each day’s delay could result in 1% to 2% price increases, depending upon the category,” he said.

The White House has given no indication so far that it would invoke the Taft-Hartly Act to force the ILA and the US Marine Alliance to the bargaining table in the interest of national health or safety.

But the damage from Hurricane Helene, the ongoing hurricane season in the Atlantic, and the disruption of critical supplies leave little room for error.

“I would assert that we’re already there,” Daniels said.