Why Are US Ports Still Congested in 2022? What's Going on With Shipping? July 8, 2022 In this episode, Sal Mercogliano - former merchant mariner and maritime historian - examines the congestion situation facing US ports in the latter half of 2022 and compares it to the situation that the nation faced in the second half of last year. Many issues are at play, with a looming economic recession, uncertainity about COVID and the style of economy that we are transitioning into; the energy crisis; the potential of a West Coast port strike or lockdown; and the shift of cargo from Los Angeles/Long Beach to the East and Gulf Coasts via neo-Panamax and Suezmax containerships. All of this spells the potential for massive congestion in US ports again.