US ports on the East and Gulf coasts are bracing for a potential strike that could close passage for approximately half of all goods shipped in containers to and from the country. Large amounts of biodiesel are imported to the New York Harbor (NYH), and a strike could affect biodiesel flows more than oil and gas out of the Gulf Coast, Fastmarkets understands.

Though the Gulf Coast ports of Houston and New Orleans are major oil and gas shipment hubs, those commodities would remain largely unaffected by a strike involving more labor-intensive container cargo, experts said in a Reuters article on Wednesday September 25.

The energy industry is vulnerable to a port strike, according to Pro Farmer analyst Jim Wiesemeyer.

“Gulf Coast ports are crucial for energy exports… Any disruptions could impact the flow of energy resources,” Wiesemeyer wrote on September 20.

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