Shipping Expert Sal Mercogliano on Iran, Red Sea Disruptions, and the Future of U.S. Ports

On the Industrial Advisors podcast, Bill Condon and Matt McGregor interview shipping and logistics expert Sal Mercogliano, a former merchant mariner and professor who created the YouTube channel "What's Going On With Shipping," which grew rapidly after the Ever Given Suez incident. Mercogliano explains how conflict involving Iran is disrupting shipping through insurance constraints in the Persian Gulf, affecting energy flows and container trade, and compounding Red Sea diversions around Africa and increased reliance on the Panama Canal. He describes how supply chain shocks ripple globally, raising surcharges and likely freight rates. The conversation covers post-COVID diversification away from overreliance on China toward other Asian countries, though China remains significant. Mercogliano discusses competitive dynamics for Seattle/Tacoma versus Vancouver and Prince Rupert, the importance of port productivity, and advises shippers and 3PLs to diversify routes and facilities to remain nimble amid ongoing uncertainty and disruptions.

00:00 Making Shipping Simple

00:36 Meet Sal Murano

01:12 From Sea to Classroom

01:53 YouTube Channel Explosion

04:04 Humor and Pop Culture

04:51 Iran Conflict Shipping Impacts

06:41 US Coasts and Port Shifts

08:22 Moving Beyond China

09:51 Seattle Tacoma Port Outlook

12:36 3PL Strategy and Resilience

15:52 Biggest Risks Next Year

18:20 Wrap Up and Thanks