U.S. Chamber Launches Port Study

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Chamber of Commerce announced the launch of a landmark study on the North American port system and related roads. The study will examine the projected growth in international trade and its impact on port capacity and related transportation infrastructure.

Ports and major arteries provide the lifeblood for the nation's economy," said Thomas Donohue, U.S. Chamber President and CEO. "If we don't improve the roads, rails and ports to effectively move imports and exports, we will be faced with a global competitive disadvantage of almost unimaginable proportions."

The United States expects containerized cargo imports and exports to grow by an amount equivalent to the capacity of another Port of New York/New Jersey or LA/Long Beach by 2003, the year Congress plans to authorize billions of dollars in transportation spending measures. And, over the next two decades, imported cargo moving through U.S. ports is expected to triple.

The 14-month study – led by the National Chamber Foundation, the U.S. Chamber's public policy and research affiliate – will forecast imports and exports by major cargo types, and the future impact on the capabilities and operational effectiveness of North American ports and the associated rail and road systems. The study will include recommendations for action by the public and private sectors to enable the nation's transport infrastructure to keep pace with the projected growth in the economy over the next 20 years, along with possible funding sources.

A blue-ribbon advisory panel of specialists, headed by former Secretary of Transportation, James Burnley, will provide guidance for the study, which will be conducted by a team of industry experts – TranSystems Corp., the Texas Transportation Institute's Center for Ports and Waterways, the University of New Orleans National Ports and Waterways Institute, and Norbridge, a leading maritime econometric consulting firm.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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