Port Industry Expects Growth in 2016

At the 12th annual “Pulse of the Ports Peak Season Forecast,” panelists told the audience of about 550 people that cargo growth should continue through 2016 even though uncertainty remains as the economy and industry continue to evolve.

One of the panelists, Senior Economist Mario Moreno, IHS Maritime & Trade, stated that containerized imports from Asia will grow at about 5.5 percent in 2016. He also stated that the overall U.S. economy would grow by about 2.3 percent.

Each spring, the Port of Long Beach brings supply chain industry leaders together to discuss their forecasts for the year ahead. The event helps to provide fellow industry members with the information they need to plan.

At Wednesday's event, held at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach, seven speakers from all segments of the supply chain offered their thoughts on megaships, congestion, cargo volumes and the future of the transportation industry.

“Pulse of the Ports is a truly unique opportunity for us to hear from top experts throughout the supply chain,” said Harbor Commission Secretary Tracy Egoscue, who represented the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners at the event. “Forecasting is not an exact science, but piecing together information from various segments of the industry helps us look at the big picture and plan more accurately for the months ahead.”

“The uneven global economy, strong U.S. dollar, opening of the Panama Canal and the introduction of megasized container vessels to U.S. ports has created dynamic conditions for the maritime industry that will continue to play out over the next two years," said Jon Slangerup, Port of Long Beach CEO. "At Long Beach, we will continue to host gatherings like the Pulse of the Port to stay in tune with our customers and industry partners as we invest in our Green Port of the Future.”

In addition to Moreno, speakers at the 2016 Pulse of the Ports included Lori Smith, Sourcing Lead, Ocean, CLS Regional Transporation Organization, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.; Revis Stephenson, Senior Manager, Export Container Trade, The Scoular Company; Phillip Wright, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Total Terminals International; Seana L. Fairchild, Senior Director, International Intermodal Sales, Union Pacific Railroad; Vic La Rosa, CEO and President, Total Transportation Services Inc.; and Fran Inman, Senior Vice President, Majestic Realty Company and member of the California Transportation Commission. The Q&A portion was moderated by Phil Ramsdale, President, Transport Solution LLC, Past President and current officer of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals of Southern California.