There are many similarities between my old home in China and my new one in America. Both are very large and successful, but both can be very complicated at the same time. I see many common challenges on both sides of the Pacific.
Much more cargo is being picked up and dropped off at one time because of larger ships. Both China and U.S. have to figure out how to modernize terminals to move imports and exports in and out quickly.
The chassis model here is quite different from what it is in China and the rest of the world, so America needs to catch up. Making usable chassis available when they’re needed is paramount to moving cargo quickly through ocean terminals. Warehousing and distribution center operations also have to adjust the receiving of containerloads and speed up empty returns including chassis.
Terminal operations have to be reorganized and modernized to increase volumes and eliminate containers waiting for movement. This also speeds cargo through a terminal, especially for intermodal containers. Extending terminal hours of operation will benefit all, but someone realistically has to pay for the additional expense.
As we improve terminal operations, we also need to depend on our trucking and rail capacity from our intermodal partners. It’s important that railcars arrive and leave regularly in order to serve IPI destination or origin cargoes. We also need trucking capacity to move local cargo in and out of ocean terminals and rail ramps quickly.
Ocean carrier change is not without its complications, but, hopefully, our two countries will find better ways to speed cargo over the Pacific with minimal delays.
Zhang Deng Hui, President, China Shipping (North America) Holding