The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune. 

AS the largest longshoremen’s union in North America gears up for a strike, disrupting key US East and Gulf Coast ports, The Bahamas may feel the impact. While major importers of critical resources such as fuel and medicine seem protected, industries like construction, retail, and wholesale food distribution face significant risks. With the US responsible for a substantial portion of Bahamian imports, this strike could expose vulnerabilities in our supply chain, demanding immediate action and long-term solutions.

Potential Fallout for The Bahamas

1. Disruptions in Non-Essential Goods 

 The US is not only The Bahamas’ closest trading partner but its economic lifeline. Every day, ships carrying construction materials, food products, and retail goods arrive from US ports. A prolonged strike could leave store shelves understocked and construction projects stalled. While fuel and pharmaceuticals seem secure, retail and food distribution could face severe delays, creating shortages of household essentials.

2. Inflated Prices and Strained Supply Chains 

 Even a short strike could drive up freight costs by 20% to 50%. The Bahamas already faces high import costs, and an increase in shipping rates will only make non-essential goods more expensive. Construction materials, in particular, could see price hikes, leading to delayed projects and higher costs for housing and infrastructure.

3. Business Vulnerability and Workforce Disruption 

 For small and medium-sized businesses, a supply chain disruption could be disastrous. Many rely on just-in-time shipments from the USA prolonged strike could force closures, reduced staff hours, or layoffs. The construction industry, which depends on US materials, may face severe delays, affecting contractors and laborers across the country.

A Two-Pronged Approach: Immediate and Long-Term Solutions

1. Emergency Procurement Protocols

To address the immediate crisis, The Bahamas needs a diversified procurement plan that can be activated quickly. Establishing trade partnerships with Latin America, Europe, or the Caribbean could help fill supply chain gaps. For example, Brazil and Mexico offer significant opportunities in agriculture and manufacturing that could mitigate disruptions to retail and food supplies. Additionally, regional cooperation through CARICOM could enable “supply swap” agreements, keeping essential goods flowing.

2. Strategic Reserves for Critical Industries 

The Bahamas should adopt a long-term strategy by developing a strategic reserve system for critical industries such as construction and food distribution. Maintaining a three-to six-month reserve of essential materials would act as a buffer during future disruptions, stabilising prices and preventing shortages. This system could also be useful for handling other global trade interruptions caused by weather events, geopolitical tensions, or pandemics.

A Path to Resilience

The looming US port strike provides an opportunity for The Bahamas to strengthen its supply chain infrastructure. By diversifying import sources and creating strategic reserves, we can transform this challenge into a catalyst for long-term resilience. With these measures, The Bahamas will not only navigate this crisis but emerge stronger, more adaptable, and better prepared for future global disruptions.

K’RON LIGHTBOURNE

Nassau,

September 30, 2024.