We continue to experience remarkable changes that directly impact our industry. Nothing has generated a bigger impact than the continued evolving of the container alliances. It has been a good step forward for international trade. The three major alliances currently represent the majority of the world’s total container capacity. Larger container shipping companies can now allocate their resources better than ever. The question remains, can they do it while maintaining compensatory rates?
2018 will be the final year of the current International Longshoremen’s Association master contract. As much as technology and innovation continue to rewrite the ways that we do business, our industry is still very much a people business. The men and women who work our piers every day are the backbone of our successes. For the good of the maritime industry and international shipping, it is imperative that we reach an agreement quickly and without any interruptions to our supply chains.
There has been a lot of discussion in the past year about investing in our country’s infrastructure. Many of our nation’s tunnels, bridges, and other superstructures are past their prime years, and some are crumbling. Our industry depends heavily on properly maintained waterways, highways, and rail networks. We must make sure our elected officials continue to push for infrastructure funding. It is a lifeline for all of us.