Page 29: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Mar/Apr 2018)

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won’t arrive until the summer at the earliest and then there’s many ports – witness South Carolina Port’s two inland ports also the issue of getting enough drivers to drive these trucks. that come with rail access – have already begun. Nevertheless,

Until then, we’ll continue to face shortages and congestion internal trade has grown at a rate that current infrastructure at ports and ramps because there are not enough truckers to was not built to support or sustain. Direct access to ports, in- move the cargo out in time. On the export side, more book- land drop-off locations where cargo can move on rail or barge ings will roll as exporters won’t be able to deliver for cut- closer to its fnal destination are real options. There’s a cost offs in time. The domino effect for industry could therefore and time factor to everything. As a whole, or by parts, all be particularly severe. stakeholders need to be a part of the solution; a solution that

Change is needed, and fast. And, there are many layers to needs to start now.

this onion. Industry needs to improve truck drivers’ working conditions and at the same time, fnd ways to attract, recruit

Klaus Lysdal

The Author and retain the next generation of drivers. Separately, ports and is Vice President of Sales and Operations at iContain- terminals must improve gating procedures to speed up truck ers (USA) Inc. Lysdal received his Bachelor of Com- turnaround and reduce container dwell times. Mile-long wait- merce in Business from Ringkoebing Business College ing lines at the ports aren’t conducive to anyone.

and holds a formal freight forwarding degree from

In advance of substantial effciency gains, there is an entire his native country of Denmark, where he also studied international logistics and creative problem-solving.

infrastructure issue that needs to be resolved. To their credit www.maritimelogisticsprofessional.com 29

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