US shipping sector will react to long-term changes

Significance

China-US trade tensions are affecting global trade patterns, and this includes the outlook for US shipping -- an industry which itself faces a changing operating environment as new technologies and regulations come online.

Impacts

• The US transport department has announced a nearly 300-million-dollar grant programme for port infrastructure.
• A larger US infrastructure bill is unlikely before 2021, as Republicans and Democrats are politically gridlocked.
• Liquefied natural gas export terminals will continue to receive government backing, likely under Democrats too.