A Fresh Perspective on U.S. Seaports

SAN FRANCISCO—Although container volumes are down at all major U.S. ocean gateways, freight forwarders are telling Critical Cargoes that they have never been busier.

 “And our membership has grown over the past year,” said Tom Mathers, communication director for the National Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association (NCBFAA).

According to Mathers, the economic slump has been giving forwarders time to adjust to new security laws and regulations set to come on line next year – another plus.

“So it’s not all doom and gloom for our members,” he said. “Granted, the inbound calls are lighter than in the past, but we are hearing about a steady and sustainable flow of bookings.”

Meanwhile, the negative news from another front deserves our attention. In a TV broadcast segment from Al Jazeera, a reporter pays a visit to the Port of Long Beach and paints a truly dismal picture by suggesting that dockworkers are going to be put out of work soon. (And he only interviews longshoremen – no carrier reps, port spokesmen, or shippers.)

As LM readers know,  the International Longshoremen and Warehouse Union (ILWU) recently signed a very generous six-year contract with management. Sure, the overtime won’t be there, but these guys have good jobs. And if they become as efficient as their foreign counterparts, they will have a good future.

For the biased perspective check out Al Jazeera.