Industrial action is looming at shipping ports on the eastern seaboard of the United States that may impact The Bahamas’ ability to import goods such as food, clothing and other necessities.

Edison Sumner Strategic Partners Chief, Edison Sumner spoke with ZNS News about the implications if the more than 45,000 workers associated with International Longshoremen’s Association withhold their labour.

He said, “I’m advised reliably though that some companies have already begun loading up on supplies, bringing in additional supplies in anticipation that there might be a strike and there might be some impact on the closure of certain ports around the United States, and that can have an impact on other suppliers who are bringing product into the country through the United States.”

Sumner formally served as Chief Executive Officer of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation (BCCEC).  He says any work stoppage at the ports can significantly affect The Bahamas.  “Imagine if this carries on for more than a few days then it certain can become very debilitating for our industries, our private sector businesses who rely entirely on the maritime sector to bring product into the country whether they are building materials, if it’s food items etc.  The maritime sector brings in the bulk of the products into the country.”

He also spoke to the possibility of higher prices, “if the merchants in this country, the business persons, the retailers, wholesalers etc., if they’re going to incur a higher cost for bringing product into the country because of this strike action then yes, I can see that there may be a temporary increase in cost.”

Sumner said he hopes officials are able to compromise.