In this episode of the Crisis Lab Podcast, host Kyle King sits down with maritime operations expert James Merten to explore how global trade depends on a fragile and often invisible system: ocean shipping. From cargo delays and cyberattacks to major port shutdowns, disruptions in this sector have far-reaching effects—touching everything from factory supply chains to your local grocery store.

James draws from his experience with the U.S. Coast Guard and academic research in port resilience to unpack the real challenges of keeping maritime systems running. They discuss why maritime coordination is so complex, how ports prepare for storms and peak shipping seasons, and what new risks are emerging as the industry goes digital and adopts clean energy.

Tune in to learn what really happens behind the scenes when maritime systems break down—and what it takes to build them back stronger.

Show Highlights
[02:28] How everyday goods depend on global shipping routes
[04:31] What actually counts as a major maritime disruption
[06:48] Inside the tangled web of port governance and response
[10:05] The real-world gap between plans and emergencies
[11:56] Balancing global supply chains with local recovery needs
[13:52] How ports plan for hurricanes, holidays, and heavy cargo flows
[16:34] Why digitized ports are vulnerable to cyberattacks
[18:38] What port recovery looks like beyond reopening
[20:06] A new training course for maritime professionals
[21:55] What’s ahead: wind farms, automation, and changing risks

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