The future of safe and efficient trade to and from the U.S. is dependent on healthy port facilities and continued investment in transportation infrastructure.
Investment priorities reach far beyond port assets. Collaborative planning and capital spending in land-side mobility, roads and rail are imperative to ensure efficient flow of cargo. To keep up with the rapidly increasing vessel sizes now engaged in global trade, we must focus on long-term planning.
And as we enter into 2016, U.S. ports will continue to see renewed growth potential for both import and export cargo.
The dollar firmed against foreign currencies throughout 2015, which gives a boost to American purchasing power. The housing market has also staged a recovery that is driving demand to import home goods and construction equipment from abroad.
And as downstream petroleum and petrochemical processing plants boost capacity following the American shale revolution, the U.S. will export increased volumes of energy products.
Training and maritime education outreach is a top initiative as our marine workforce ages.
As cargo moves continue to increase in 2016 and beyond, there’s one certainty: We have to keep goods moving efficiently and safely. Federal dollars intended for improvement of our federally authorized channels should be spent for that purpose. We must keep our lawmakers engaged in the importance of funding for federal waterways.
Beyond moving freight efficiently, an increasing focus on homeland security and cyber security are imperative as global geopolitical uncertainty could threaten the welfare of our facilities on various fronts.
While U.S. ports partner to support federal waterway upkeep and national security, we are called to bolster local legislative efforts to enhance rail and highway networks in our home cities and states. Smooth and fluid access from the water to the warehouse is an integral driver to making the most of our supply chain.
Roger Guenther, President, Port of Houston Authority