Charlie Papavizas Discusses Second Trump Administration’s Effects on the Breakbulk Sector with Journal of Commerce

Winston & Strawn partner Charlie Papavizas was quoted in a Journal of Commerce article discussing how a second Trump term could affect the breakbulk and project cargo sector, including shifts related to offshore energy and uncertainties surrounding import tariffs and ship building efforts. 

Charlie stated that a new administration could mean uncertainty for efforts to advance U.S. shipbuilding, citing the bipartisan “Ships for America Act,” sponsored by Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), that aims to rebuild and expand the U.S.-flag fleet engaged in foreign commerce.

“Will the Trump administration look kindly on this effort? That’s a big question, but it’s a question that would have faced anyone who’s the president because our industry, our shipyards, our maritime academies have atrophied to the point that some attention needs to be paid to this as a national security imperative,” he said. 

One looming question for the sector is the future of the fledgling U.S. offshore wind industry, a key source of breakbulk and project cargo. In May, President-elect Donald Trump pledged to write an executive order to end offshore wind projects “on day one” of his return to the White House.

“It’s hard to imagine that it’s a positive,” Charlie said. “And, therefore, we have to wait and see how much of a negative it will be.”

Read the full article (subscription required).