Freight Rates Could "Blow Through The Roof" In 2022 If This One Catalyst Happens: J Mintzmyer

This is part 2 of an exclusive Fringe Finance interview with shipping analyst (and friend of mine) J Mintzmyer.

This is part 2 of an exclusive Fringe Finance interview with shipping analyst (and friend of mine) J Mintzmyer, where we discuss the state of the supply chain in the country, the developments with Canadian truckers, logistics, the effects of Covid and what shipping names he likes for 2022.

J is a renowned maritime shipping analyst and investor who directs the Value Investor's Edge ("VIE") research platform on Seeking Alpha.  You can follow him on Twitter @mintzmyer. J is a frequent speaker at industry conferences, is regularly quoted in trade journals, and hosts a popular podcast featuring shipping industry executives.

J has earned a BS in Economics from the Air Force Academy, an MA in Public Policy from the University of Maryland, and is a PhD Candidate at Harvard University, where he researches global trade flows and security policy.

Part 1 of this interview is here.

Q: J, What do you make of Covid's effect on the shipping sector? Is there any chance that a loosening of restrictions will happen this year, in your opinion? If so, what affect will that have?

COVID-19, or more precisely the global policy response to COVID-19, is a key factor in the entire supply chain mess. Things were already tight in late-2019 and US ports, particularly on the West Coast, have been underinvested for a decade, but the enormous lockdown disruption is what 'broke' the machine.