Readout of Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force Meeting Publisher: The White House Date: 28 March 2024 Subjects: American Government , Roads & Highways Topic: Interstate Highway System

Yesterday, the National Economic Council convened a meeting of the Biden-Harris Administration Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force to discuss potential impacts on regional and national supply chains from the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and partial closure of the Port of Baltimore.

The Task Force, launched in 2021 to monitor and address near-term supply chain challenges, consists of supply chain experts across the Administration who bring the full capacity of the federal government to assess potential supply constraints and bottlenecks, engage stakeholders, and prepare response and mitigation efforts.

The Port of Baltimore is one of the nation’s largest shipping hubs and the Francis Scott Key Bridge is critical to travel in the Northeast Corridor. Since the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the White House and Federal agencies have engaged extensively with industry, ocean carriers, ports and labor unions to minimize disruptions as shipments are rerouted while the Port of Baltimore is closed to ship traffic. Members of the Task Force shared real-time analysis of sectors with significant activity through the Port of Baltimore, including automobiles, farm machinery, and agricultural products. Members of the Task Force also provided an assessment of the impact on workers and the community. The Task Force received a situational briefing of operations on the ground and will continue to monitor any new supply chain developments as the unified command under the U.S. Coast Guard supports the recovery and rebuild efforts and normal operations resume at the Port of Baltimore.

The Task Force will coordinate Federal outreach and efforts to assist impacted industries and will continue to monitor shipping activity at alternative ports as shipments are diverted. The Task Force is also monitoring the impact of the closure on the workers directly associated with activities at the Port of Baltimore and will work with the Department of Labor, the state of Maryland, and impacted employers and unions to minimize impacts. 

Participating agencies included:

The White House

Department of Transportation

Department of Commerce

Department of Agriculture

Department of Defense

Department of Labor

Department of Health and Human Services

Department of Energy

Department of Homeland Security

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