Public ports in the United States play an important role in local and regional economies throughout the nation. They generate business development and provide employment to more than 13 million Americans, which includes those that work at the ports themselves and those employed in global trade and import/export support services. According to the American Association of Port Authorities, U.S. business activities related to waterborne commerce contribute more than $3 trillion to America’s economy. Seaport activities alone account for tens of millions in federal, state and local tax revenues. There are approximately 360 commercial ports that serve the United States, according to the U.S Coast Guard. Many of these accommodate ocean-going cargo, as well as barges, ferries and recreational watercraft. More than 150 deep draft seaports are located along the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as well as the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Port of South Louisiana ranks first in cargo volume (in tonnage) among U.S. Ports, followed by the Port of Houston, Texas and the Ports of New York and New Jersey (Port Newark). Many of the country’s most prominent ports work closely with private industry in the development and financing of maritime-related facilities. More than 60 U.S. ports are now nearing the end of a five-year infrastructure development project created to expand and modernize their facilities for more efficient cargo movement. A by-product of this effort, beside additional job creation, is helping to make American exports more competitive overseas. America’s port authorities play a key role in the business of waterborne commerce. Their authority may also incorporate other global trade hubs such as airports, industrial parks and Foreign Trade Zones. Since 9/11, there has also been a renewed appreciation of the role that port authorities play in national security.
Surge in U.S. Inbound Containers Signals Economic Growth in 2024
In the opening months of 2024, the United States has witnessed a significant surge in inbound container volumes, signaling robust… Read More
Expanded Panama Canal Yet to Fill Container Transit Goals
Nearly half a year since the opening of the expanded Panama Canal, significant amounts of available capacity through its larger… Read More
Port of Philadelphia Welcomes First Shipments of Brazilian Beef to U.S.
Officials of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA) and other port industry leaders last week welcomed an historic shipment: the… Read More
WRDA 2016 Headed for House-Senate Conference Negotiations
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) is focusing on three key priorities for the 2016 Water Resources Development Act,… Read More
Southeast Ports Resumes Service Following Hurricane Matthew
Southeastern United States ports resumed operations earlier this week after Hurricane Matthew interrupted operations, caused damage and power outages and… Read More
Charleston Harbor Deepening Project Progresses
The passage last week of H.5303, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016, by the U.S. House of Representatives,… Read More
Water Resources Bill Passes In House
The United States House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) by a vote of 399 to 24… Read More
Port of Boston Sets New Record
The Port of Boston’s Paul W. Conley Container Terminal set new all-time records for both fiscal year 2016 and monthly… Read More
BREAKING NEWS: Port Condition X-Ray Set for South Florida Ports
The U.S. Coast Guard captain of the port (COTP) set port condition X-ray for Port Miami, Miami River, Port Everglades,… Read More
AAPA Announces Winners of 2016 IT, Environmental Programs
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has named the winners of the 2016 Environmental Improvement and its Information Technology… Read More
GPA Marks Container Record in August
The Georgia Ports Authority achieved an August record of 330,846 twenty-foot equivalent container units, an increase of five percent over… Read More
Port of Oakland Added to Vietnam-China-U.S. Shipping Route
A transpacific shipping route linking Asia and the U.S. will add weekly Port of Oakland stops beginning in November. The… Read More
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