The safe and efficient movement of people and goods has been a critical concern since the earliest days of humankind. Over the years, we have evolved a global network of supply chain logistics that has become so efficient that most people aren’t even aware that the systems exist, let alone how they work.
With the conditions that have emerged due to the COVID‑19 global pandemic, the system became stressed, and the public faced both delays and shortages. It soon became obvious that multi--billion-dollar technology investments and enhanced digital information systems weren’t the answer to restoring the network.
The truth is that the global transportation network, like most businesses, is actually a “people business” that depends on interpersonal relationships built on trust, knowledge, and cooperation. There are lots of different people that make up our international maritime industry: seafarers, longshore workers, bankers, agents, terminal, tug and barge operators, naval architects, drayage drivers, railroaders, brokers, and many more.
We are spread all over the world and have disparate languages, customs, and laws, so how does it all work together?
Over the years, members of our industry have joined together to create forums where they can gather to share ideas, make deals, and learn who their colleagues, competitors, and customers are. We learn who to trust, who to listen to, and how to work together.
As Maritime Association of the Port of NY/NJ celebrates its 148th year, we acknowledge that our success is based on our ability to bring the diverse members of our industry together to facilitate cooperation and enhanced productivity.
We are proud to bring people together to share knowledge and solve problems.