SUPPLY chains could be in for more turmoil as talks to negotiate a new labour contract for the US West Coast ports kick off on May 12.

Christian Roeloffs, founder and chief executive of Container xChange, an online marketplace for container trading, said: "We know that the port labour unions are very aggressive negotiators, and the event has historically resulted in work stoppages in the past. If that happens this year too, it will cause unloading and loading of cargo to be practically impossible.

"This will, of course, lead to disruptions at the beginning of the early peak season in shipping, a crucial time for the shipping industry."