What the Ship? Container Imports, Russian Oil, Wheat Shipping, Freedom Trade & Gold Medal Mariners What's Going on With Shipping? May 18, 2022 In this episode, Sal Mercogliano - former merchant mariner and maritime historian at Campbell University - discusses the top 5 maritime stories as of May 18, 2022. First, while we experience a freight recession on land, ocean container imports jump in April with more headind toward the East vice West coasts. Second, Russian oil, thought to be boycotted and sanctioned is still sailing but to new markets. Third, a wheat shortage caused by the Ukraine-Russia War and now India's decision to withold exports, will heighten this issue. Fourth, an editorial by Craig Fuller questions whether free trade is dead and welcomes the concept of Freedom Trade. Finally, after 77 years, the US government has awarded a Congressional Gold Medal to the surviving US merchant mariners from the Second World War.