In 2011, the trans-Pacific trade will remain the dominant market in the U.S. To better serve and expand this dynamic market, the industry will need to further apply innovative thinking and practices to meet growing customer demand and operational challenges.
We also expect to see U.S. exports growing at an aggressive pace. Balance in this trade will benefit the carriers and supply chain services as a whole. Since most U.S. imports are destined to distribution centers in urban areas while exports are generally sourced in agrarian areas, we will need to work with our rail and truck partners to ensure proper equipment flows.
After surviving the challenges and uncertainty of the last two years, 2011 looks like a good year to concentrate on achieving some measure of stability. Building a stable supply chain, where both shippers and carriers can look forward to a decent return on their investments can only foster further trade growth.
The new year calls for more direct communications between shippers and carriers. Only in-depth cooperation and understanding will ensure everyone’s success.