FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION
 

INTERNATIONAL SUPPLY CHAIN EFFICIENCY:
 

CHALLENGES FACING SOUTH ATLANTIC PORTS
 

Summary of Port Authority Executives Panel Discussion
 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014
 

Please note that this portion of the Public Forum (9:00 – 9:50 am) was summarized by FMC staff 

members in attendance and is not a verbatim transcript of the Port Authority Executive Panel 

discussion. For a complete account of the discussions during this Public Forum, please also see 

the companion Transcript for the South Atlantic Ports Forum, which covers the other panel 

discussions by Motor Carrier and Trucking Representatives; Ocean Carriers; Railroads, Chassis 

Providers; Labor; and Shippers and Logistics Providers; as well as the open public comment and 

discussion period and closing remarks (from 9:50 am to the end of the Forum). 

The meeting of the Federal Maritime Commission convened in North Charleston, South 

Carolina, pursuant to notice at 9:00 a.m., Michael A. Khouri, Commissioner, presiding. The 

topics addressed at the forum included port congestion, infrastructure needs and challenges, 

efficient chassis use, global trade, and international supply chain efficiency. 

Por Authorit Executives Panel

After Commissioner Khouri welcomed the attendees and thanked South Carolina Ports 

for hosting the forum, several port executives gave prepared statements. The port executives 

noted that South Atlantic ports are relatively congestion free, but several commented that the 

federal government was not fulfilling its obligations regarding dredging and that the Army Corps 

of Engineers’ regulatory processes delayed port infrastructure projects unnecessarily. Jim 

Newsome, the president and CEO of South Carolina Ports, stated that although ports in the 

Southeast are working well, he is particularly concerned about trucking because if drayage 

truckers are lost, then the entire shipping industry will be negatively affected. Mr. Newsome also 

suggested that ports extend gate hours and inject more predictability into port operations. He 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

nevertheless resisted a truck appointment system because he does not think truckers should be 

punished for missing an appointment. Mr. Newsome concluded that South Atlantic ports should 

not let their comparatively congestion-free situation lull them to sleep. 

John Walsh, the CEO of the Canaveral Port Authority, commented that the federal 

government is not doing enough regarding dredging, whereas the state of Florida is doing its 

part. Steven Cernak, the Chief Executive and Port Director of Port Everglades, asserted that the 

current regulatory environment impedes ports from timely completing infrastructure projects. He 

focused specifically on the Army Corps of Engineers and noted that it took eighteen years to 

conduct one environmental impact study at his port. He commented that many channel 

deepening projects could have been dealt with earlier. 

Jamie McCurry, the Senior Director of Administration & Governmental Affairs at the 

Georgia Ports Authority, reiterated that South Atlantic ports are doing well, states and 

municipalities in the region were doing their part, and the federal government needed to fulfill its 

obligations with respect to rivers and deepening projects. His primary message to the 

Commission was that no too ports are exactly alike, and thus there is no one-size-fits-all solution. 

Brian Taylor, the CEO of the Jacksonville Port Authority, echoed these sentiments and noted that 

the Florida Department of Transportation has done a good job investing in shoreside/connectivity 

infrastructure. He also noted, however, that because the South Atlantic region is growing, and 

because freight follows people, South Atlantic ports need to continually and proactively invest in 

infrastructure and collaborate with trucking. 

Juan Kuryla from the Port of Miami identified three common issues raised by the port 

executive attendees: dredging, funding, and the environment. He pointed out that one dredging 

project at the Port of Miami took nine years to receive authorization and another six years to 

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begin construction. Mr. Kuryla also noted that Miami did not receive any federal funds for the 

dredging. Paul J. Cozza from North Carolina Ports commented that because trucking is a 

fragmented industry, it does not have a large voice. He also opined that port authorities are 

handcuffed because they have a lot of responsibility without commensurate authority. 

After the port executives gave their prepared statements, Commissioner Khouri asked 

them to identify two things that could improve port efficiency. Mr. McMurray focused on the 

federal government, stating that the Army Corps of Engineers needs to improve its regulatory 

processes and that the federal government needs to live up to its responsibilities. Mr. Walsh 

opined that port authorities need to treat ports as real estate assets and ensure that waterside 

property is used more efficiently. He also said that ports need to invest in more technology and 

automation. According to Mr. Walsh, organized labor needs to recognize that technological 

solutions will result in fewer jobs, or it will risk repeating the mistakes of the auto industry. Mr. 

Cernak commented that: (1) everyone needs to be at the table to address port efficiency, 

including truckers and organized labor; (2) an investment financing system needs to be 

implemented; and (3) the federal government should improve the regulatory environment – 

eighteen years is too long for a study. Finally, Mr. Newsome stated that predictability would help 

port efficiency. He focused on improving predictability in funding for harbor deepening projects 

and basic information sharing. 

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