Chronic port congestion and extended turn times continue to negatively impact the intermodal trucking industry at the Port of New York and New Jersey. There are many variables at play that affect market conditions at the port, and cooperation from all stakeholders will be required if motor carriers are to adjust and adapt accordingly.
The increase in trade agreements — and the restrictions that inevitably go along with them — have made it more difficult than ever to coordinate the smooth flow of commerce, only adding to the already unacceptable turn times and traffic experienced at most of our marine terminals. One important change that must be implemented is to increase gate hours at all terminals, allowing for longer shifts to accommodate the record levels of container volume we have experienced, and will continue to experience as the Bayonne Bridge expansion nears completion.
We must implement consistent levels of service at the terminals before navigational clearance is reached at the end of 2017. Additional, uniform gate hours across all terminals are a long overdue solution.