WASHINGTON (October 1, 2024) – The following statement regarding the impact of the strike at the U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports can be attributed to Chris Jahn, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council:
“The chemical industry is one of the country’s largest shippers across all modes of transportation, including marine shipments through our nation’s ports. The port strike is of particular concern to our industry since about 90% of the waterborne chemical shipments that move in and out of the U.S. flow through the East Coast and Gulf Coast ports.”
Nearly all manufactured goods are touched by the business of chemistry, which means transporting chemicals is essential to keeping the economy running. The chemicals shipped through these ports are used by every segment of the economy, including chemistry needed to support healthcare, energy generation, agriculture, auto manufacturing, building and construction, household products, aerospace and defense, semiconductor chips and electronics, and more.
“Shutting down the ports along the East and Gulf Coasts will result in a major disruption of chemical imports and exports, which in turn will hurt the broader economy both here and abroad. We urge the White House to do everything possible to prevent this major shockwave from rippling through the American supply chain and hurting U.S. trade by working with both parties to resume contract negations.”
Chemical Industry Statistics
- The U.S. economy runs on chemistry. More than 25% of the U.S. GDP is supported by the business of chemistry.
- $639 billion generated annually by the business of chemistry.
- 10% of U.S. goods exports come from the business of chemistry, which is among the largest exporters in the U.S. Representing $164 billion of exports in 2023.
- 12% of the world’s chemical supply is produced in the U.S., which is the second largest producer of chemicals.
- U.S. chemical exports have grown by 29% over the past decade.
- 28% of chemical shipments are exported globally.
Chemical Transportation Statistics
- One billion tons of chemical products were transported in 2023, making the business of chemistry one of the country’s largest shippers.
- Due to new capital investments, by 2032, U.S. chemical and polymer production is expected to grow by more than 25 million metric tons. ACC estimates that this new production will lead to more than 337 additional marine container shipments.
East & Gulf Coast Statistics
- The ports shutdown by the strike account for about 90% of the waterborne chemical shipments that move in and out of the U.S.
- About 138 million tons of chemicals were transported through the ports in the Gulf Coast and about 31 million tons of chemicals were transported through the East Coast ports in 2022. These chemical shipments were worth over $100 billon.
- The chemicals that are shipped to and from these ports are used by every segment of the world's economy, including chemistry needed to support healthcare, advanced energy, agriculture, auto manufacturing, building and construction, household products, aerospace and defense, semiconductor chips and electronics, and more.
Top Ports - Total Chemicals Traffic
- Houston
- Port of South Louisiana
- New Orleans
- Port of Greater Baton Rouge
- New York/New Jersey
Top Ports for Chemicals Imports
- Houston
- New York
- Port of South Louisiana
- New Orleans
- Savannah
Top Ports for Chemicals Exports
- Houston
- Port of Greater Baton Rouge
- New Orleans
- Freeport
- Corpus Christi
