In 2017, the forces that have driven unprecedented change in the maritime supply chain will remain in play. Margin compression on shipping lines remains formidable, and we may see more disruption through consolidation, reshuffling of alliances, and the possibility of more changes in the supply chain.
These changes bring with them more uncertainty and complexity for ports and terminal operators, with the most successful being those that can continue to deliver proactive solutions to keep the cargo moving. Ever-larger vessels moving containerized cargo from multiple carriers will require ports to stay ahead of the cargo surges by focusing on strategies that help evolve terminals from static storage yard environments to factory-like operations that process cargo with conveyor-belt efficiency.
One key to meeting these challenges is for ports and terminal operators to gain a more improved line of sight on inbound cargo and better planning for exports. This will afford the planning time necessary to ensure optimal discharge planning and deployment of labor, chassis, rail, and truck resources once the vessel arrives. Activities across every link in the supply chain can be better coordinated through secure data sharing, while affording shippers greater visibility into the system. Not only can these efforts yield value for users, but they can enhance freight capacity, and reduce air emissions through enhanced efficiency. In Los Angeles, 2017 will be the year for testing digital solutions to facilitate these processes.
Progress on supply chain optimization, coupled with infrastructure development, will also shape ongoing policy conversations. The transition to a new US administration and Congress is an opportunity to continue development of a smarter national freight network that gives US companies efficient and reliable access to the global economy. It’s extremely important that we work together as an industry to keep this issue at the forefront of the federal agenda.