Pacific Maritime Association

2021 | THE YEAR IN REVIEW THE COAST W est Coast ports are the largest maritime gateway in the United States, supporting more than 12 million jobs nationwide. Our largest ports faced great challenges in 2021 due to the effects of COVID-19 and the unprecedented cargo surges from Asia that impacted every link in the global supply chain. Cargo volumes at the San Pedro Bay Port Complex – the nation's largest – surged throughout much of 2021, yet the supply chain outside the marine terminals experienced enormous difficulties, ranging from truck, rail and chassis shortages to warehouse capacity constraints. In many cases, the cargo had nowhere to go, placing enormous stress on West Coast marine terminals. Despite an uncertain and challenging environment, our ports demonstrated great resilience. Longshore workers moved record amounts of cargo. PMA trained more workers for high-skilled jobs to meet the demands of the cargo surge. PMA worked with ILWU leadership to expedite early access to COVID-19 vaccines. PMA's senior leadership team participated in a working group that delivered new vessel queuing procedures to improve safety and air quality, and we worked with governmental officials and leaders throughout the supply chain to explore lasting solutions to congestion. Economists are projecting the supply chain challenges to continue throughout 2022, putting a strain on businesses, workers, and consumers nationwide. At PMA, we recognize that continued innovation is vital to support the U.S. economy and to promote a healthy supply chain – now and into the future. The stakes could not be higher: West Coast gateways support millions of American jobs, billions of dollars in economic activity, and the movement of goods that fuel the nation. With contract negotiations ahead, PMA continues to collaborate and adapt to sustain the future of West Coast ports. Please read on. STOR facility at the Port of Long Beach's Pier S. 13 13 PACIFIC MARITIME ASSOCIATION

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