Fighting back: Seattle leads west coast plea for infrastructure investment

PORT of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani led the plea for more infrastructure investment at a San Deigo port conference as the US west coast fights off challenges from Canada, east and gulf ports for Asian cargo.

Mr Yoshitani joined a panel discussing port and transport infrastructure investment, noting that ports must be able to operate safely and efficiently to compete for cargo and the jobs that cargo creates.

"Ports are the country's solid economic engines, creating jobs and prosperity for communities they serve," Mr Yoshitani said. "For us to keep our ports competitive and exports moving to markets across the globe, we must invest our resources in the harbours, roads, and rails that move goods efficiently."

Mr Yoshitani was addressing a "ports summit" called by US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, marking the first time someone in that post has met jointly with the leaders of the country's seaports.

Joining Mr Yoshitani were his colleagues from the other major west coast ports. The six port directors are working together to market the west coast as the best gateway for trade.

Mr Yoshitani went on to note that moving goods efficiently is also good for the environment. "Sustainable business practices are good business practices, and vice versa. We're investing in the facilities that will serve ports for decades to come; let's invest in sustainable solutions that protect our air and harbours," he said.
 

Source: SchedNet