### Gas Prices Unaffected Amid East and Gulf Coast Port Strike, Experts Say

As a significant union dockworkers strike halts operations at numerous ports across the East and Gulf coasts, several consumer goods are expected to become scarce — but not gasoline, according to industry experts.

On Tuesday, 45,000 members of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) walked off the job following unsuccessful contract negotiations, effectively shutting down 36 major ports which together handle approximately half of all U.S. ocean imports. This marks the ILA's first strike since 1977.

The strike is anticipated to cause shortages in products such as bananas, electronics, auto parts, pharmaceuticals, and alcohol. Fortunately, the oil and gas sector remains largely unaffected for the time being, as confirmed by the Department of Energy. The department noted that crude oil, gasoline, natural gas, and other liquid fuel imports and exports are managed by different workers, thus isolating these commodities from the strike's immediate impact.

"The strike will not have any immediate impact on fuel supplies or prices," the Department of Energy assured. It also mentioned that it is collaborating with the White House and other government agencies to closely monitor the operations and supply chains of oil and gas companies, as well as electricity generators and utilities.

Industry experts align with this viewpoint, provided that the strike does not drag on for an extended period. Ernie Miller, CEO of Verde Clean Fuels, mentioned that fears of significant oil price spikes may be overstated due to the rise in domestic oil production over the last decade. "We're in a very different production scenario now versus years ago when we were a net importer," Miller observed.

However, the consequences of a prolonged strike could extend into energy demands in sectors like trucking, rail, and bunker fuel for cargo ships, Stephen Schwartz from Wells Fargo explained. Schwartz highlighted that oil and gas imports and exports generally go through specialized terminals not immediately affected by the strike.

Consumers might face higher prices and shortages on products if the strike persists, emphasized Chris Tang, a supply chain management expert at the University of California, Los Angeles. These disruptions could impact holiday shopping, as businesses—especially smaller ones—struggle to secure and stock inventory.

While large retailers such as Walmart and Costco can manage the increased costs by rerouting shipments or storing inventories early, smaller businesses may face significant challenges, potentially leading to higher prices for consumers.

Overall, while the port strike is poised to send ripples through the economy, the gas pump appears to be one of the few places where Americans might not feel its immediate effects.