MEXICO: Dedicated freight corridors and closer co-operation among port authorities and the private sector are strategies the US government is promoting to tackle port congestion.
The Draft National Freight Strategic Plan, released on 18 October by US Department of Transportation (DOT) secretary Anthony Foxx, also recommends sharing best practices for freight planning, supporting advisory committees and public forums with stakeholders, and encouraging effective use of federal funding.
“We’re extremely encouraged that Secretary Foxx is moving forward with the National Freight Strategic Plan,” said American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) president Kurt Nagle. “Mapping the future of our freight network and providing resources to build it is a top priority for AAPA and its member ports.”
Finding ways to improve funding for port infrastructure will be needed to better handle future growth, the draft plan says, noting that container traffic at ports will increase steadily as the volume of imports and exports transported by the US freight system more than doubles by 2040.
At current funding levels “some carriers may encounter delays, may need to proceed more slowly due to hazards, light-load their vessels, or offload some cargo to smaller vessels,” the plan warns. Depending on channel conditions, “tankers or other vessels may encounter a delay in their arrival or departure time or restrictions that reduce recommended vessel draught”.
Shipping activity at Port Qasim on February 11
KARACHI: Three ships namely, Glen Canyon, Al-Salam- II and TSM Pollux carrying Containers, Gas oil and Palm oil were arranged...
