US Ports in the money

The profitability of further decarbonization efforts at US ports is uncertain due to funding reliance on grants and loans, with alternative fuel adoption also hindered by uncertainties in fuel pathways.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration is offering $500 million in funding for port upgrades, as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.

As part of an Executive Order aimed at strengthening maritime cyber-security, the Biden Administration plans to invest over US$20B over the next five years in port infrastructure including funds for recreating the domestic port crane industry

Ports on the east of the US face a triple challenge from the drought in Panama, the Suez Canal security issue, and the ILA’s determination to fight automation.

Ports America and NAWE say it is “quite frankly astonishing” that the FMC would seek to limit a marine terminal operator’s ability to charge demurrage in its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

The American Association of Ports Authorities (AAPA) says there is no national security threat from Chinese cranes; China might consider the extent to which US software presents a risk at its own ports.