Association President warns: “It’s choking the lifeblood out of our industry.”
Port Newark, NJ – Jeffrey Bader, the President of the New Jersey-based Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers, testified this afternoon at a forum hosted by the Federal Maritime Commission in Baltimore, Maryland. Bader was invited to address the FMC to share his insight on the severity of port congestion at Port Newark, its adverse effect on the trucking industry and industry-related businesses, and what can be done to help.
“Our members struggle every single day with the consequences of port congestion,” says Bader, “and it’s choking the lifeblood out of our industry.”
Bader called for swift action to alleviate chronic problems at the port, including chassis shortages, infrastructure issues, diversion costs, and the need for upgrading the use of technology to make port management more efficient. “The survival of those who do business in the ports of New York and New Jersey, and in ports around the country, is at stake,” warned Bader, “and time is of the essence.”
Bader also spoke out strongly against the proposed Truck Appointment System, citing numerous flaws in the current plan that would make implementing such a program “disastrous” for the industry. He urged the FMC to take a holistic approach to fixing issues at the port, and to carefully consider the consequences that any proposed changes to one operational system might have on the rest. “Attempting to fix one problem,” said Bader, “without being mindful of how it impacts other components of port operations will only result in failure.”
On behalf of the Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers, Bader pledged their cooperation with all interested parties—steamship lines, terminal operators and other port-related companies—to implement lasting changes that will increase productivity and efficiency at Port Newark for years to come. “It is only by working together” said Bader, “that we will ensure the long-term success of intermodal commerce in our ports.”
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