Contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and U.S. West Coast waterfront employers are shining a light on the integrity of the U.S. ports system. If talks break down, import and export cargo flows will be at risk. One critical element missing from the debate is how to manage the risk of port disruptions and make these vital cargo-handling systems more resilient.
A research team at the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics recently published a paper, “Failure Modes in the Maritime Transportation System — a Functional Approach to Throughput Vulnerability,” that shows how port stoppages have become more frequent over recent decades. Moreover, the structure of the maritime transportation system increases the likelihood of serious economic damage when facilities are disabled.
June 05, 2014
News
Journal of Commerce