Industry America’s Ports: Gateways to Global Trade Seaports are gateways to domestic and international trade, connecting the united States to the world. Because of the nation’s port system, food grown by Iowa farmers reaches tables in Japan and Russia. Manufacturers In Texas can sell goods and services profitably to foreign countries. And Appalachian and Midwest coal moves through Inland waterways and coastal ports to power plants domestically and around the world, providing the fuel to heat and light homes, businesses and cities. North
America’s history has been shaped by Its ports on the seacoasts, rivers and the Great Lakes. From the late sass, the sheltered harbors provided safe refuge for early explorers and settlers. Clues depended on docks and shipping terminals as their communications and commerce “feline to the rest of the world. As port cycles prospered and grew, the bustling wharfs and big ships became less visible, but no less important, as major highways and tall buildings dominated the waterfront. For more information about all U. S. Deep-draft seaports, download U. S. Ports Fact Sheet. For specific information about U. S. Container ports from the U.
S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration, click “America’s Container Ports: Freight Hubs That Connect Our Nation To Global Markets. ” Ports Benefit the Nation Today, the U. S. Is served by publicly- and privately-owned marine facilities located in approximately 360 commercial sea and river ports. These are found along the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf and Great Lakes coasts, as well as in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerco Rich, Guam, and the U. S. Virgin Islands. Some 150 state, local and county seaport agencies, navigation districts and port authorities make up the public sector port industry today.
Public ports develop and maintain the shredded facilities for the intermeddle transfer of cargo between ships, barges, trucks and railroads. Ports build and maintain cruise terminals for the growing cruise passenger industry. In addition to maritime functions, port authority activities may also include Jurisdiction over airports, bridges, tunnels, commuter rail systems, inland river or shallow draft barge ermine’s, industrial parks, Foreign Trade Zones, world trade centers, terminal or short-line railroads, ship repair, shipyards, dredging, marinas and other public recreational facilities.
Ports may also undertake community or regional economic development projects beyond those of direct benefit to the port Itself. Ports play a major role In industrial plant location. Many manufacturing and processing Industries locate their plants at or near waterfront sites to take advantage of low-cost Inbound transportation of raw materials for production and outbound shipments of knishes products to both export and domestic markets. Foreign Trade Zones, located on port property, also provide Incentives for value-added manufacturing services and trade.
What Moves Through Ports U. S. Ports and waterways handle more than 2 billion tons of domestic and import/ export cargo annually. By 2020, the total volume of cargo shipped by water is expected to be double that of 2001 volumes. Much of total domestic production of wastepaper, corn, lumber, iron ore, steel, scrap steel, potatoes, phosphate, plastics, film, machinery, and modular homes. About two-thirds of all U. S. Wheat and wheat flour, one-third of soybean and rice production and almost two-fifths of U. S. Cotton production is exported via U.
S. Ports. U. S. – produced coal, grain and forest products also compete well in international markets because of our efficient transportation system. A report released on June 15, 2011, from the U. S. Maritime Administration shows more ships are stopping at U. S. Ports. The stops, or vessel calls, rebounded by 13 percent in 2010, after an 8 percent decline in 2009. Oceangoing vessel calls reflect attorney trade between the United States and countries around the world, and are a measure of import, export and domestic ocean shipments. Although challenges remain, this encouraging rebound in oceangoing vessels is a sign that President Beam’s economic policies are working,” said U. S. Transportation Secretary Ray Load. “We’re committed to supporting policies that will build on this momentum so that the maritime industry will continue to grow and create American jobs. ” The 2010 Vessel Calls Snapshot report contains data on calls by oceangoing vessels at U. S. Ports. In 2010, 7,579 oceangoing vessels made 62,747 calls at U. S. Ports.
Of the 2010 calls, ; 35 percent were by tankers carrying oil and gas used to power our cars and heat our homes, ; 31 percent were by container’s carrying general export and import cargo for markets around the U. S. And the world, ; 17 percent were by dry bulk vessels carrying iron, coal and grain for export, ; 9 percent were by roll-on roll-off vessels carrying vehicles for import and export, and ; 6 percent were by general cargo ships. In addition, the report shows that tanker operators are replacing single-hull vessels tit new, greener double-hull ships.
