"There's just no normal" in the shipping industry

The first few months of the year are usually slow for the shipping industry, with an expected drop-off in cargo volume after the holiday season and the Lunar New Year in February.

That’s been true for 2026 so far, but with some extra complications thrown in, said Weston LaBar, chief strategy officer at Waterfront Logistics, a supply chain logistics company in the Los Angeles area.

Chief among those extra complications have been the impacts of tariffs and the closing of the Strait of Hormuz due to the U.S. conflict with Iran, which has complicated shipping routes and raised fuel costs.

“You have so many of these uncontrollable events that impact your day-to-day business that there really isn’t a new norm — there’s just no normal,” LaBar said.

“Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal talked with LaBar about what’s to come for Southern California’s shipping industry.

To listen to their conversation, use the audio player above.