MARAD: INTERMODAL ACCESS TO U.S. PORTS ôGOOD ENOUGH FOR NOWö

   A U.S. Maritime Management document has discovered that intermodal entry to the rustic’s ports is “nice sufficient for now,” however will most probably come beneath pressure in a couple of years.

   “Getting a boat into port is solely a part of the tale,” mentioned Maritime Administrator William G. Schubert. “If the products can’t transfer briefly clear of the water, then our transportation machine isn’t doing the process.”

   The document, “Intermodal Get right of entry to to U.S. Ports,” used to be in response to a survey of 70 p.c of American ports, with a focal point at the situation of roadways, rail and waterside entry.

   “Important entry problems are discovered at the native entry roads to ports, and at-grade rail crossings,” MarAd mentioned. “Truck-only routes are of accelerating importance as shipment volumes develop and there’s a important wish to separate freight and passenger visitors on native roads and on state/interstate roads.”

   Alternatively, the document discovered “sure effects” for native intermodal investments. Greater than 90 p.c of the ports surveyed reported “applicable or upper stipulations relating to the provision of on-dock rail amenities and aids to navigation at the waterways,” MarAd mentioned.

   The company mentioned it could proceed to observe entry to marine ports and terminals on an annual foundation.