<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Economic conditions have upended the housing, banking and retail industries. In these challenging times, people buy less, retailers ship less, shipping lines carry less and ports handle less.
 
</p></div>

Economic conditions have upended the housing, banking and retail industries. In these challenging times, people buy less, retailers ship less, shipping lines carry less and ports handle less.

2141696_FI.jpg

<div class="phx-topic"><p>Economic conditions have upended the housing, banking and retail industries. In these challenging times, people buy less, retailers ship less, shipping lines carry less and ports handle less. For the shipping industry, the challenge will be meeting this global economic sea change by continuing to provide top-quality facilities, services and seamless transportation systems for our customers — while at the same time working to achieve greater cost savings and efficiencies wherever possible. Global industry trends we see in reaction to this new economy include the forming of alliances, restructuring of shipping routes, sharing of shipping assets and consolidation of terminals. Shipping lines are even removing vessels from service to reduce ship capacity in certain trade lanes. While much of the world hunkers down to ride out the storm, public ports can play an important role in restoring confidence and building for the future. Ports are known as economic engines in the communities they serve. That role is more critical than ever. It’s no coincidence that local, state and federal governments are launching economic stimulus plans that include building such infrastructure as highways, bridges and rail lines. These public-works projects generate immediate construction jobs and spur economic growth by creating more efficient connections for people and goods. We also will see broader discussions, collaborations and partnerships between ports, cities, customers and transportation providers as they realize the values and economies of scale of developing greater cooperation to identify and gain much-needed public support and creative financial funding for key transportation and development projects that strengthen their region’s overall economic stimulus agenda. We all know that 2009 promises rough seas for our global and local economies. And while it’s important in these tough times to hold the line on costs and work to produce new revenue, it’s also the mission of public ports to create jobs — now and in the future. </p></div>

Economic conditions have upended the housing, banking and retail industries. In these challenging times, people buy less, retailers ship less, shipping lines carry less and ports handle less. For the shipping industry, the challenge will be meeting this global economic sea change by continuing to provide top-quality facilities, services and seamless transportation systems for our customers — while at the same time working to achieve greater cost savings and efficiencies wherever possible. Global industry trends we see in reaction to this new economy include the forming of alliances, restructuring of shipping routes, sharing of shipping assets and consolidation of terminals. Shipping lines are even removing vessels from service to reduce ship capacity in certain trade lanes. While much of the world hunkers down to ride out the storm, public ports can play an important role in restoring confidence and building for the future. Ports are known as economic engines in the communities they serve. That role is more critical than ever. It’s no coincidence that local, state and federal governments are launching economic stimulus plans that include building such infrastructure as highways, bridges and rail lines. These public-works projects generate immediate construction jobs and spur economic growth by creating more efficient connections for people and goods. We also will see broader discussions, collaborations and partnerships between ports, cities, customers and transportation providers as they realize the values and economies of scale of developing greater cooperation to identify and gain much-needed public support and creative financial funding for key transportation and development projects that strengthen their region’s overall economic stimulus agenda. We all know that 2009 promises rough seas for our global and local economies. And while it’s important in these tough times to hold the line on costs and work to produce new revenue, it’s also the mission of public ports to create jobs — now and in the future.

<topic id="2cde9204-af19-43bd-a01d-fe4a28cfd726"><title>Tacoma, Port of</title><summary><p ID="ID94af210b-72bb-46b7-9644-5836d0ba6a25">Economic conditions have upended the housing, banking and retail industries. In these challenging times, people buy less, retailers ship less, shipping lines carry less and ports handle less.
 
</p></summary><body><p ID="ID2de75f65-3c60-465f-a1fc-884b5307d698">Economic conditions have upended the housing, banking and retail industries. In these challenging times, people buy less, retailers ship less, shipping lines carry less and ports handle less. For the shipping industry, the challenge will be meeting this global economic sea change by continuing to provide top-quality facilities, services and seamless transportation systems for our customers — while at the same time working to achieve greater cost savings and efficiencies wherever possible. Global industry trends we see in reaction to this new economy include the forming of alliances, restructuring of shipping routes, sharing of shipping assets and consolidation of terminals. Shipping lines are even removing vessels from service to reduce ship capacity in certain trade lanes. While much of the world hunkers down to ride out the storm, public ports can play an important role in restoring confidence and building for the future. Ports are known as economic engines in the communities they serve. That role is more critical than ever. It’s no coincidence that local, state and federal governments are launching economic stimulus plans that include building such infrastructure as highways, bridges and rail lines. These public-works projects generate immediate construction jobs and spur economic growth by creating more efficient connections for people and goods. We also will see broader discussions, collaborations and partnerships between ports, cities, customers and transportation providers as they realize the values and economies of scale of developing greater cooperation to identify and gain much-needed public support and creative financial funding for key transportation and development projects that strengthen their region’s overall economic stimulus agenda. We all know that 2009 promises rough seas for our global and local economies. And while it’s important in these tough times to hold the line on costs and work to produce new revenue, it’s also the mission of public ports to create jobs — now and in the future. </p></body></topic>