Biden picks former DOT deputy secretary as port czar

U.S. container imports are at all-time highs as consumers, flush with savings and federal stimulus money, continue to spend heavily on merchandise. The extraordinary demand coupled with COVID-related labor shortages has swamped the ability of ports to smoothly transfer cargo to trucking and railroad partners that are also maxed out. With boxes piling up, longshoremen are hard pressed to work the vessels in a timely manner. There are more than 40 container vessels outside the Los Angeles/Long Beach port complex, according to the Marine Exchange of Southern California. The twin ports processed 40% more volume in the first half of the year than during the same period in 2020.

All the congestion makes it difficult for carriers to reposition containers back to Asia, compounding the delays. 

The trade system is so stretched that any hiccup, such as port closures in China because of COVID outbreaks, adds to the logjams. Shipping rates and surcharges are four to 10 times more expensive than normal, depending on factors such as port of entry, contract terms and shipment urgency. 

“Retailers have faced a number of unprecedented challenges during the pandemic, and the supply chain disruptions that continue to evolve pose a threat to many American businesses. As consumer demand increases, the supply chain challenges and the costs associated with them remain significant,” the National Retail Federation said in response to the Porcari appointment.

“Imports at retail container ports have marked record highs recently as consumer demand continues to stretch supply chains and retailers shift to the peak shipping season for winter holiday merchandise. The bottlenecks and congestion we are seeing at our ports highlight the need for an improved and sophisticated supply chain that can handle these issues. 

“NRF is encouraged by the Biden administration’s action on this critical issue. We look forward to working with Envoy Porcari, [Transportation] Secretary Buttigieg and the full Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force to mitigate these challenges, particularly in advance of the upcoming holiday season, so that retailers can ensure consumers can access the products they want and need in a timely manner.”

In June, the NRF submitted a letter to the White House outlining the numerous supply chain challenges retailers have faced throughout the pandemic and potential solutions to address current and future disruptions. 

Buttigieg participated in a virtual roundtable in July with port industry representatives, part of a broad outreach effort. Porcari will work with Buttigieg and the National Economic Council to coordinate a public-private response, the White House said.

Ports would receive $17 billion for infrastructure upgrades aimed at reducing congestion and emissions under a $1 trillion infrastructure package negotiated with Congress. 

The Biden administration and the Federal Maritime Commission are also investigating ocean carrier practices to determine if they are unfairly withholding containers from exporters, or charging shippers unreasonable rates and fees.

Who is Porcari?

Porcari served as deputy secretary of transportation during the Obama administration from 2009 to 2014. He had oversight of port, intermodal and maritime policy, as well as maritime-related competitive grant programs. 

He also served twice as Maryland’s secretary of transportation and chairman of the Maryland Port Commission (1999-2003 and 2006-2009), initiating a strategic plan that helped revitalize  the Port of Baltimore. Baltimore is now the largest auto/vehicle port in the nation and has been growing as a destination for containers.

Under Porcari’s leadership, the Port of Baltimore also entered into a public-private partnership to expand its Seagirt container terminal, adding a fourth, 50-foot container berth and ship-to-shore cranes to accommodate the newest super-post-Panamax container vessels. The  50-year, $1.3 billion concession became a model for other port projects around the country.

Porcari currently is managing partner for 3P Enterprises. He was president of U.S. advisory services for WSP USA for six years, during which time he served as interim executive director of the Gateway Development Corp., which oversees a comprehensive passenger rail investment program for the Northeast Corridor.

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