AUSTIN, Texas — The leader of one of the nation’s busiest seaports said the next several months will severely challenge an already overtaxed supply chain, and the situation has reached a “crisis” level.

Federal lawmakers are working on numerous regulatory and legislative changes that could impact transportation, experts highlighted Sept. 29 at the Coyote Logistics Digital Summit.

Lordstown Motors Corp. agreed to partner with Foxconn Technology Group in a $280 million deal that has the startup selling its former General Motors Co. factory in Ohio to the Taiwanese company in exchange for cash and an equity investment.

After sounding an optimistic note in the first half of the year as soaring car prices padded their profits, auto executives have become more resigned to supply chain headaches after recent COVID-19 outbreaks in Malaysia hampered semiconductor production.

The outlook for transportation and logistics in the fourth quarter focuses on the lingering effects of the coronavirus pandemic as well as the impending shopping season.

Loadsmart launched a platform in partnership with The Home Depot that helps facilitate flatbed backhauls by focusing on supply, the companies announced Sept. 29.

Online shoppers will be buying less this holiday season, but spending more.

European energy markets from natural gas to carbon permits jumped to records, signaling the supply shortage will get worse just as the winter season starts. Stockpiles of everything from gas to coal and Norwegian water for electricity production are dwindling and there are few signs the situation will improve anytime soon as demand continues to roar back from a pandemic-driven lull.

The federal government needs to invest more in West Coast ports, said the head of the Port of Los Angeles, which is the nation’s biggest gateway to Asia and is grappling with record backlogs.

Xcel Bulk Logistics announced that it has acquired the 1845 Commercial Bulk Division.