US West Coast ports target China

In a unprecedented demonstration of solidarity, six major US West Coast gateways came together to announce a “charm offensive” to keep and attract new business.

 

The six major US West Coast ports came together this week at the World Shipping Summit in Qingdao to announce their collaboration. Joining them in this effort were two major western rail carriers – BNSF Railway Company and Union Pacific Railroad.

 

The US West Coast Collaboration – comprising the ports of Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, Oakland, Long Beach and Los Angeles – represent US cargo gateways that have seen volume and revenue decline dramatically in recent years.

 

Omar Benjamin, executive director of the Port of Oakland, said, “Today’s economic conditions have compelled all of us to take a closer look at how we conduct our business to discover new approaches that yield improved results.”

 

 

Logistics Management reported John Lanigan, BNSF executive vice president and chief marketing officer as saying, “BNSF and the other members of the US West Coast Collaboration are committed to helping shippers get more from their supply chains. At BNSF alone, we have invested $30 billion to create a rail network that delivers more goods, to more markets faster and with less environmental impact than all-water alternatives.”