North American ports have lost their way

Calling for an increase in smart and strategic public-private partnerships, Mr Johnson said that investment in North American ports paled in comparison with commitments elsewhere.

“There is an ongoing need for strategic investment in ports. I see the investment in China and in other parts of the world and they have outpaced the United States of America significantly for decades,” Mr Johnson said at the conference in Miami.

He added that America’s inability to safely and efficiently move goods caused him “great concern”.

“The US has historically been a leader in building smart infrastructure, but for decades now we have lagged. Not only am I talking about port infrastructure but you have to connect that infrastructure through a smart and intelligent road system, by rail, and through intermodal centres.”

However, Mr Johnson believes the North American port industry has had a wake-up call and appealed to the industry to “pull rank together to get through these tough times”.

“It’s about moving our port, our community, our State and our nation forward through smart, strategic public private partnerships.”