On this episode of What's Going on With Shipping, Sal Mercogliano - Chair of the Department of History, Criminal Justice and Political Science at Campbell University, former merchant mariner, and adjunct professor of Maritime Industry Policy at the US Merchant Marine Academy - discusses the decision by Walmart to charter ships (plural) to transport goods from Asia to the United States. We also look at the issue facing American retailers, the past example set by Home Depot and what this may mean going forward. ALL ABOARD HOME DEPOT'S TRAMP STEAMER! | What's Going on With Shipping https://youtu.be/R0-TtpkpI_o Dollar Tree describes container-ship chaos, with voyages doubling in length, costs skyrocketing, and one boat turned away from China over a single COVID case on board https://www.businessinsider.com/dollar-tree-international-shipments-delay-are-taking-forever-2021-8 What Walmart, Target And Home Depot Are Trying For Their Supply Chain Meltdowns https://www.forbes.com/sites/warrenshoulberg/2021/08/25/what-walmart-target-and-home-depot-are-trying-for-their-supply-chain-meltdowns/ Viewpoint: Global supply chain reaching ‘a critical moment in time’ https://www.freightwaves.com/news/viewpoint-global-supply-chain-reaching-a-critical-moment-in-time Home Depot Chartering Its Very Own Ship to Avoid Shipping Problems https://gcaptain.com/home-depot-chartering-its-very-own-ship-to-avoid-shipping-problems/ Walmart Dips Into Vessel Charter Market to Ease Supply Chain Difficulties https://gcaptain.com/walmart-dips-into-vessel-charter-market-to-ease-supply-chain-difficulties/ Walmart charters ships to help battle tricky peak season https://splash247.com/walmart-charters-ships-to-help-battle-tricky-peak-season/ Container ship long-term charter rates climb to record highs amid vessel shortages https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/shipping/080221-container-ship-long-term-charter-rates-climb-to-record-highs-amid-vessel-shortages Cash-rich own