The ongoing port strikes in the US may not significantly impact Antigua and Barbuda if they last for a week or two.

However, if the strikes continue beyond 14 days, it could affect the country’s supply chain

The union boss representing striking dockworkers has stated that major US ports will remain shut until their pay demands are met.

This is the fourth day into the strike, and the workers are preparing for the possibility of an extended port shutdown, which could disrupt global trade and the US economy.

Port Manager Darwin Telemaque is assessing the potential impact of the strikes beyond the next 14 days and has raised concerns about the lack of leadership from the US government and the AG office.

In light of these developments, he has highlighted the need for the Caribbean to reduce its reliance on US ports.

In an interview with Antigua.news, he expressed concerns about the Caribbean’s supply chain vulnerability due to its heavy reliance on the East Coast of the USA for sustainability.

Telemaque contends that the current situation should not give rise to opportunistic Manipulation of the environment by Shipping lines, exporters, or importers.

Tropical operates a nonunion port, while King Ocean, Seaboard, and CMA, CGM are not at Ports represented by the striking union (ILA)

He suggests that Kingston Free Trade Terminal (the only Global Port of entry in the region), along with the two ports in Trinidad, has the potential to provide an option to adjust our supply chain’s singular dependence on South Florida.

While Telemaque believes that the government could intervene to stop the strikes, he also acknowledges the potential political ramifications of such actions.

Telemaque also emphasized the need to reduce the Caribbean’s dependence on South Florida and increase regional control over the supply chain to enhance food and national security.

He also stressed the importance of forging a path towards greater self-reliance, suggesting that Jamaica and Trinidad could significantly achieve this goal.

Additionally, Telemaque intends to release a document through the Caricom Private Sector Organization aimed at ship owners and merchants to address the situation’s opportunistic manipulation.

The four main points for the strike include concerns about wages, automation, container royalty, retirement and pension contributions, and healthcare coverage and hardship provisions.