Middle East Conflict Impacts Global Trade Routes
The ongoing war in the Middle East has not had a drastic impact on US supply chains, according to the Port of Long Beach and the National Retail Federation. However, the conflict is adding uncertainty to global trade routes, with ocean carriers imposing surcharges and changes in shipping patterns. The Port of Long Beach reported a 7% decrease in throughput in Q1 2026 compared to the same period last year. The situation was discussed in a recent Supply Chain Insights webinar, as reported by Seatrade Maritime News.