A Call to Action
Vol. III, Art. 24

“Infrastructure”. What does that word really mean, anyway? It’s a catch-all that appears in almost every criticism or appraisal of intermodal container transport, and in every case it amounts to an acknowledgment that improvements are needed at various points along the supply chain ... in the other guys’ links, however. “Not mine ... I’m fine”, is the customary way to look at the situation.

The International Chamber of Commerce met in Shanghai last week and great emphasis was placed upon the inadequacy of freight transfer “infrastructure” serving ports throughout the world and threatening the smooth flow of global trade. The following points were highlighted:
• Capacity shortage harms world trade;
• Demand for capacity is rising;
• Freight industry stakeholders and public authorities must work together to expand capacity and provide the necessary funding;
• Action is needed now.

But no one seemed to know exactly where or how to take that action. “They shoulda stood in bed”, is the way Rip Valenti, the old boxing promoter, would have assessed that distinguished gathering.

The Washington, DC,-based Waterfront Coalition did a much more creditable job in its report entitled “The National Marine Container Transportation System: A Call to Action”, released on May 25th. In its published “Summary”, the very first of the report’s 22 stated items was captioned, “Making harbor trucking a profitable business”. Because it was assigned the number one position, the entire paragraph bears repeating:

“The harbor trucking industry is vital to the movement of containers from terminal to nearby distribution facilities and de-consolidation centers where containers are unloaded. Today, the independent owner-operators, that make up this industry, are struggling to earn adequate compensation for their service. This is creating a driver shortage at a time when imports are skyrocketing. Addressing road congestion and terminal efficiency will go a long way to increasing the number of daily trips harbor truckers need to improve the economics that will avert a further shortage of drivers.”

The very last sentence in the final item of the “Summary” placed further emphasis on the leading item just quoted. “The Waterfront Coalition urges lawmakers and state highway and transportation officials to locate funding for quick completion of these projects that will reduce road congestion, improve working conditions for truckers and address air quality concerns”, it reads. For once, prominence has been given to what should be the industry’s primary concern ... the independent owner-operator ... and Old Rip would have commended the Waterfront Coalition folks for their perspicacity.

Even the Waterfront Coalition, however, was unable to zero in on a magic bullet that could bring relief to the many difficulties being experienced along the supply chain. They’re close, though.