Port Chaos, Tech Tension, and Tariff Drama with The Maritime Professor

Why does it feel like U.S. ports are stuck in the past while the rest of the world is fully automated? This episode with Lauren Beagen—lawyer, founder of The Maritime Professor®, and host of By Land and By Sea—dives into why maritime regulations matter, what tech labor negotiations are really about, and how tariffs are a lot more about vibes than rules. From dock safety to global competitiveness, we explore the big-picture forces shaping the future of port operations and maritime shipping. Key takeaways: • 93% of ports globally are not fully automated, despite the narrative. • The FMC’s role is flag-neutral but laser-focused on protecting U.S. importers and exporters. • Tariffs are less about policy and more about political posturing. • Diversifying ports of entry is critical—but not always feasible due to specialized infrastructure needs. • Labor/tech tensions stem from generational divides, safety, and global competitiveness.LINKS:Lauren's LinkedInThe Maritime Profession XThe Maritime Professor WebsiteSquall Strategies WebsiteWATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE -----------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!SPI Logistics has been a Day 1 supporter of this podcast which is why we're proud to promote them in every episode. During that time, we've gotten to know the team and their agents to confidently say they are the best home for freight agents in North America for 40 years and counting. Listen to past episodes to hear why.CargoRex is the search engine for the logistics industry—connecting LSPs with the right tools, services, events, and creators to explore, discover, and evolve.Digital Dispatch maximizes and manages your #1 sales tool with a website that establishes trust and builds rock-solid relationships with your leads and customers.