Issue link: https://pma.uberflip.com/i/1495430
2022 | THE YEAR IN REVIEW THE COAST I n 2022, wide swings in cargo volumes on the West Coast underscored many of the challenges our ports face. We were greeted in the New Year with record volumes and, at our largest ports, historic backups due to supply chain congestion, while in the second half of the year, those same ports experienced a significant drop in container traffic. Market share declines for discretionary cargo continued to be a topic of great importance in 2022, extending a years-long drop due to a number of factors that are explored further in the pages ahead. Chief among these factors are further investments by Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast ports to handle larger vessels, as well as inland infrastructure to transport containers to strategic Midwest hubs. Without doubt, the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of negotiations between PMA and the ILWU for a new Pacific Coast labor contract contributed to the diversion of cargo by importers. Negotiations kicked off in San Francisco in May, and as this annual report was being finalized, a new agreement had not been reached. PMA continues to embrace the principles shared at the beginning of negotiations. These include commitments to engage in good-faith talks without work disruptions, to prioritize safety and training, and to retain the right to modernize port terminals to handle projected cargo growth and meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Even with the challenges we confronted in 2022, there were many positive developments up and down the Coast. The cruise industry experienced growth in strategic markets, while investments in terminal cranes, a new training center in Southern California, and growth in the number of ILWU registrants helped meet the early 2022 surge in volume while also preparing the Coast for future cargo demand. West Coast ports continue to have the potential to win back market share and serve as a model for the nation. We have proven our resiliency through unprecedented challenges related to the pandemic, and will continue do so in the months and years to come. Please read on. The Maersk Essex at work at APM Terminals at the Port of Los Angeles. 13 13 PACIFIC MARITIME ASSOCIATION