Future developments relating to the Panama and Suez canals will continue to sway carrier decisions and significantly impact the volume of cargo handled via U.S. East Coast ports. Landlocked ports will continue to experience increased congestion and loss of cargo to ports that have ample land available. Distribution and manufacturing facilities will continue to gravitate toward ports that offer superior intermodal connections and areas that may be leased or purchased for deconsolidation of containerized cargo. It is crucial for port authorities to become more involved as a key component in the transportation and logistics supply chain. Online access, cargo-tracking systems and networks are vital to port operations and must remain a top line item for budgeting purposes.
Customers deserve reliable real-time cargo information.
Although competitive rates attract customers, the ability to handle cargo at a high rate of speed will remain the determining factor when a shipper or carrier selects a port of call. These types of projects take an exorbitant amount of planning and capital investment. The Georgia Ports Authority will continue to build upon its competitive advantages and deliver superior services to our highly valued customers and business partners located worldwide. The Journal of Commerce. All rights reserved.