ACD Press Release

Arlington, VA – Today, the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) sent a letter to World Shipping Council (WSC) President John W. Butler urging him to compel WSC members to cease unfair business practices being levied against chemical distributors.

Chemical distributors have been under immense pressure since the start of the coronavirus pandemic due to a combination of supply chain disruptions and greed among ocean carriers. WSC members have provided the service of transporting chemical products, both hazardous and non-hazardous, for NACD members for years; but recently, NACD members have encountered severe delays, skyrocketing costs, and outright order rejections.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has deemed the chemical sector as one of 16 critical infrastructure sectors whose assets, systems, and networks are considered so vital to the U.S. that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national public health or safety.

NACD members are having extreme difficulty finding carriers that will transport hazardous materials vital to national security, including chemical products used to support essential infrastructure operations and are necessary components of life-saving medical treatments.

“NACD is hopeful that by elevating our concerns to WSC we will find an ally who will assist in alleviating the strain on the chemical supply chain,” said NACD President and CEO Eric R. Byer. “By disregarding NACD members’ concerns and prioritizing other goods over essential chemical products, WSC members are working against the greater good and security of the U.S. NACD stands ready to work towards a solution with WSC.”

Visit NACD’s Shipping Crisis resource page to learn more about the shipping challenges chemical distributors are facing and actions needed to address the crisis.