national marine container transportation system a call to action

1001 Connecticut Ave., NWSuite 1110

Washington, DC 20036WWW.portmod.org

Talking Freight seminar

September 21, 2005

Robin LanierExecutive Director, The Waterfront Coalition

National Marine Container Transportation SystemA CALL TO ACTION

1001 Connecticut Ave., NWSuite 1110

Washington, DC 20036www.portmod.org

The Scope . . . 25.2 million TEU traveled through US

ports in 2004. 50% of containers handled on the West

Coast. 70% of U.S. Imports come from Asia. 40% of containerized imports enter the

U.S. through Los Angles/Long Beach

1001 Connecticut Ave., NWSuite 1110

Washington, DC 20036www.portmod.org

The Scope . . . Forecasts call for a doubling of trade in

the next ten years. Containerized trade is focused on

congested gateways. Growth affects highways and railroads.

In 2004, 2 to 3 days of additional transit time because of congestion.

1001 Connecticut Ave., NWSuite 1110

Washington, DC 20036www.portmod.org

Why do we care? Higher inventory carrying costs for

business. JIT is moving to JIC. Higher prices for consumers. Lost markets for exporters. More highway congestion for

communities. Environmental concerns. Community push back.

1001 Connecticut Ave., NWSuite 1110

Washington, DC 20036www.portmod.org

Action Needed Now To: Improve port productivity, Develop alternate Western gateways, Promote all-water routes to the East

Coast, Increase intermodal rail investment, Develop better forecasting and metrics, Develop highway priorities.

1001 Connecticut Ave., NWSuite 1110

Washington, DC 20036www.portmod.org

Improve Port Productivity by:

Making harbor trucking a profitable business,

Operating ports during extended hours, Dealing with free time and chassis, Spreading out vessel sailings and arrivals

in the trans-Pacific trade to make maximum use of terminal capacity.

1001 Connecticut Ave., NWSuite 1110

Washington, DC 20036www.portmod.org

Provide more sailings to alternate Western ports,

Improve rail services in Oakland, Portland, Seattle and Tacoma,

Address the issues that preclude Oakland as a transload center.

Develop Alternate Gateways

1001 Connecticut Ave., NWSuite 1110

Washington, DC 20036www.portmod.org

Develop Alternate Gateways

More sailings through the Suez Canal, Expand the Panama Canal to take

larger ships.

1001 Connecticut Ave., NWSuite 1110

Washington, DC 20036www.portmod.org

Intermodal Rail Investment Provide tax incentives to improve ROI

on intermodal rail investments, Focus attention on key East-West

interchanges, Key projects needed to support freight

corridors, Move cautiously on shuttle-train

projects.

1001 Connecticut Ave., NWSuite 1110

Washington, DC 20036www.portmod.org

Forecasting and Metrics Develop best practices for measuring

terminal capacity and productivity, Develop forecasting models for

importers, exporters and other stakeholders that will allow adjustments to trade flows.

1001 Connecticut Ave., NWSuite 1110

Washington, DC 20036www.portmod.org

Highway Priorities Develop a national freight policy, Focus on the priorities first – THEN the

financing! Develop key port connector projects, Provide assistance to short-haul

truckers for equipment, Develop truck-only lanes near ports.

1001 Connecticut Ave., NWSuite 1110

Washington, DC 20036www.portmod.org

Conclusion Maintaining the health of the

containerized freight system is essential to US interests.

The public sector has a role in setting policy and helping identify financing.

The private sector MUST change business practices over the short term.

1001 Connecticut Ave., NWSuite 1110

Washington, DC 20036www.portmod.org

West Coast Waterfront Coalition1001 Connecticut Ave., NW

Suite 1110Washington, DC 20036

(202) 861-0825

www.portmod.org