One of the changes I expect during 2016 is the increase in volume transiting through the Panama Canal. The canal is scheduled to be ready to handle larger vessels during the second quarter. This development should encourage more cargo to move via the all-water service from Asia to U.S. East Coast ports. A few ports on the East Coast are already prepared to handle these larger ships, and additional ports will be ready by the end of 2016.
One port that I anticipate to significantly benefit from this development is Port Miami. This port completed dredging in 2015 to accommodate the larger vessels as well as completed in 2014 a tunnel to allow truckers to enter and depart the port in a more efficient manner. Port Miami has also improved its connectivity with on-dock rail for ship-to-rail transfer of intermodal boxes in 2014, thus allowing import containers to move directly from the port to rail.
The other significant change I anticipate for 2016 will be the improved utilization of technology by forwarders, customs brokers and carriers. Our industry has been a late adopter of technology, and I expect we will see an increased acceptance in the utilization of technology. I project the volume of email and phone calls will shrink as the industry improves the ability for the client to communicate with the vendor and government agencies. This should result in improved efficiency for all parties in the supply chain.
John Abisch, Regional CEO-USA, Caribbean, Central America, Econocaribe Consolidators, an ECU Line company