Rebuttal to Claims of Inefficiency in U.S. Ports By Dennis A. Daggett

I understand it’s nearly impossible to rebut every inaccurate report that circulates in the media. However, this particular narrative is too misleading and damaging to ignore, and it needs to be addressed. The recent wave of reporting criticizing the efficiency of U.S. ports is not only inaccurate but also irresponsible. The claims are largely based on skewed interpretations of data that fail to account for the fundamental differences between U.S. marine terminals and transshipment hubs in other parts of the world.

Let’s address the comparison to ports such as Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Pointe-Noire in the Republic of Congo, cited in the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence survey. These rankings heavily favor transshipment hubs, which are fundamentally different in operation from U.S. ports. Transshipment ports primarily handle containers that are unloaded from one vessel and immediately loaded onto another, with minimal interaction with inland transportation systems or domestic cargo. In contrast, U.S. ports are full-service gateways that handle a complex mix of imports and exports, integrating rail, trucking, and warehousing to deliver goods across a vast geography. Comparing these two types of facilities is like comparing apples to oranges.

Volume and Complexity

U.S. ports handle one of the highest volumes of cargo in the world. The Port of Los Angeles processes over 9 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) annually, while the Port of New York and New Jersey handles approximately 9.5 million TEUs. These ports are not only managing import and export cargo but are also critical links in a supply chain that serves vast regions of the country. This includes moving goods to distribution centers and rail networks spanning thousands of miles. The scale and complexity of these operations far exceed the operations of most transshipment ports.

Labor Productivity

Despite the challenges, longshore workers represented by the ILA and other unions consistently demonstrate exceptional productivity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when global supply chains faced unprecedented disruptions, U.S. port workers kept the economy moving under extreme pressure. Their contribution is unparalleled and often unrecognized in these so-called efficiency studies.

Manipulated Metrics

The World Bank’s study relies on criteria like vessel turnaround times, which inherently favor transshipment ports that focus exclusively on unloading and reloading containers. U.S. ports, on the other hand, must account for time-intensive processes like customs clearance, intermodal transfers, and extensive safety and security protocols mandated by U.S. law. Ignoring these factors distorts the efficiency rankings.

Global Rankings Misrepresented

The mainstream media conveniently ignores surveys that rank U.S. ports among the most reliable in the world. For instance, ports operated by ILA members consistently rank higher globally for throughput and reliability than their competitors. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of unionized workers who ensure that cargo flows smoothly despite mounting challenges.

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