Open Discussion

Volatile market conditions, shifting project timelines, and ongoing supply chain disruptions continue to challenge breakbulk and project cargo stakeholders across the Americas. This closed-door Executive Summit – held under the Chatham House Rule – is designed as a candid, collaborative forum for senior leaders to share pain points, exchange strategies, and gain insight into how peers are navigating today’s uncertainty to anticipate future success.

The focus will remain open and participant-driven, but key discussion points may include:

1. Regulatory and Market Shifts 

•  New U.S. maritime acts (SHIPS for America, Building Ships in America, American Cargo for American Ships)
• Expanding cargo preference rules and U.S.-flag requirements
• Tariff environment (Section 301, Section 232, IEEPA, reciprocal tariffs)
• FMC investigations into chokepoints and transit constraints
• Resulting investment uncertainty, cost pressures, and risk balancing

2.    Operational and Supply Chain Impacts 

• Procurement trends shaped by tariffs and regional policies

• Scheduling and routing agility under shifting rules and bottlenecks

• Port readiness, permitting delays, and inland transport challenges

• Mitigation strategies: bonded warehouses, free trade zones, sourcing changes, product redesign, revised purchasing terms

3.    Labor and Capacity 

• Skilled labor availability across shipbuilding, ports, and inland logistics

• Broader capacity constraints and workforce retention challenges