Without a doubt, our industry continues to change at a furious pace. As ports and terminal operators, we have to stay in front of demand that is sometimes difficult to predict. Remaining flexible and efficient is the key to continued success.
In the US Gulf region, there are exponential growth opportunities ahead to capture. Tremendous increases are being driven by import retail goods from East Asia. The impact of the expanded locks of the Panama Canal has been increasingly significant for US Gulf Coast ports, as BCOs diversify and establish new distribution networks in this region.
The investment in and production of petrochemical products exported around the world in containers is evolving and on the verge of substantial growth. The US Gulf Coast region is the epicenter of the production of plastic resins for the global market, and significant increases in volume will be exported through port facilities. Efficiently handling this growth requires the strength of a productive International Longshoremen’s Association workforce, along with ongoing innovation and technology improvements to ensure that the port part of the supply chain remains competitive. This will require continued investment to meet the challenges and maintain available capacity in advance of the demand curve. Consistent and reliable service to the customer is critical for an efficient supply chain.
As trade continues to grow, the movement of goods to and from their inland destinations must remain free of congestion. Federal, state, and local recognition and investment in the freight network is critical to properly maintain and improve waterways that serve our ports, as well as to improve the interior modes of transportation, including truck, rail, and barge.
The efficient flow of commerce is the key to economic growth in the US. The importance of ports to the nation recently was highlighted by the adverse impact caused by hurricanes across the country. Protecting our reliability and competitiveness ensures continued success.