U.S. Seaports need to manage capacity

August 9, 2006 by SwizStick  
Filed under QuickNews, Seafreight

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Ok, so it’s one of those typical PR press releases, but the report from Fitch Ratings mentioned in this release analyzes the opportunities and challenges facing U.S. seaports today:

The greatest near-term challenge U.S. seaports face is dealing with capacity-related pressures, which have competitive implications. As West Coast ports and the U.S. land bridge feel the strain of increased cargo volume, Eastern and Southern ports must continue developing capacity through technological advances and innovative logistics solutions so that commerce demands will be met. Future competition will come from development and utilization of ports in Mexico and Canada.

For those of you who don’t know, Mexico is already working to develop a new container port at Punta Colonet that would directly compete against the congested ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach. Although the project is currently delayed due to a mining conflict, U.S. seaports should not underestimate the impact that alternative ports being developed in Canada and Mexico could have on the container trade.

Ocean container line earnings: Not a pretty picture

Port Colonet: Future challenge to Los Angeles / Long Beach?

European Ports Face Capacity Issues

Asia-Europe sea freight rates up….