US Ports

Growth at the Port of Baltimore is driving up truck turn times and forcing operational changes.

It took the new management team at APL’s Pier 300 in Los Angeles only three months to improve truck turn times from the worst in the harbor to the fourth best among the 12 terminals. And they accomplished it by deploying a "customer focus/consumer focus" strategy.

The port is attracting new business — aided by two infrastructure improvements and stronger international demand. But the situation, like so many trade sectors, is fluid: a trade war would likely affect the bullish trend.

Yusen Terminals in Los Angeles, where Union Pacific is adjusting to a consolidation of shipments from the three former lines that formed the Ocean Network, is a major focus of the railroad’s attention.

Beneficial cargo owners and truckers in Southern California have experienced only spot chassis shortages, and given current import projections, this condition should continue through the peak season. However, store-door contracts that designate the use of specific intermodal equipment provider chassis are still an issue, and this condition could worsen if non-vessel operating common carriers expand their use of door contracts with chassis clauses.

Two proposals moving forward at the Port of New York and New Jersey to cut truck moves and curb pollution would provide alternative routes for shippers moving cargo to or from Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island by rail.

Despite concerns that the intense bursts of cargo exchange triggered by mega-ship calls could stress port resources and systems, the port has seen no notable increase in congestion, terminal-gate truck backups, or chassis access problems after the raising of the Bayonne Bridge.

The Port of Los Angeles’ fiscal 2018-2019 budget emphasizes the expansion of marine terminals and supporting infrastructure, as well as technology advancements to improve cargo-handling efficiency.

Some shippers that send cargo through the Port of New York and New Jersey may take comfort from a federal judge’s ruling that the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor will continue to fight crime and oversee hiring in the port. Other shippers may be concerned that commission’s activities will continue, and hurt hiring and efficiency.

Via frequent outreach to truckers, beneficial cargo owners, and railroads — including a culture change — Total Terminals International has gone from having the worst truck turn times at the ports of Los Angeles-Long Beach to becoming one of the more efficient terminals.

After a robust 2017, another strong year for electronics imports to the United States is likely in 2018, given the iPhone/smartphone era and the utility of apps. And only an all-out China/US trade war would slow that trend.

In 2017, US imports of household goods jumped as home projects and construction soared on economic strength, and the outlook calls for continued growth in 2018.

US forest product and paper industry exports have rebounded, aided by eased environmental regulations.

The Port of Virginia has been experiencing glitches with its new Navis N4 software in the Virginia International Gateway terminal. Fortunately, there has not been a major disruption for beneficial cargo owners but it is creating an inconvenience for truckers.

The Port of Charleston and CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway have extended their terminal hours owing to emergency cable repairs on the James B. Edwards Bridge over the Wando River, but beneficial cargo owners should expect longer transit times during the next four weeks.

Sponsored: At the 2018 TPM, John Moseley, Port Houston senior director of sales, discuss the potential impact of population growth, resin business expansion, and blockchain viability for the shipping industry.