I'm preety sure the ILA members on the Gulf Coast will appreciate the added work. More members and increased bargaining power if this comes to fruition.
This theory launched by Eolesen could VERY likely fall under the heading of "Penny wise, and Pound Foolish"
Here's why,
Could certain shipping companies have a hypothetical route of Shanghai non-stop to New Orleans, via the canal ? Of Course.
But the considerable extra time it takes to go to N O, as opposed to Seattle is MONEY, meaning any big chinese shipper IS going to pay extra for the Ship, though less for the port call.
Don't forget, that the ILA is going to get the same money for it's members in N O, as the ILWU gets for it's members in SEA.
By the time the cargo of TV's dock in IAH/MSY, the same TV's are already on the shelves in BOS/NYC/PHL, having been 'Zipped' Eastward from SEA, by BNSF/CSX.
Trust me, this has been tried before, and hasn't worked because (back to the ol' saying) "Penny wise and Pound Foolish" !
Fixer,
Why do i get the ol'.....Lets build a bigger/better/newer Illinois Airport in "PEOTONE" feeling, when I evaluate this Container-Island Fantasy ???