The International Longshoremen’s Association vice president Dennis Daggett has strongly condemned what he describes as “inaccurate reports” circulated in the media criticising the efficiency of US ports.
“It is not only inaccurate but also irresponsible,” he says.
“The claims are largely based on skewed interpretations of data that fails to account for the fundamental differences between US marine terminals and transhipment hubs in other parts of the world.”
Daggett referred to the comparison to ports such as Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Point-Noire in the Republic of Congo, cited in the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence survey.
“These rankings heavily favour transhipment hubs, which are fundamentally different in operation from US ports. Transhipment ports primarily handle containers that are unloaded from one vessel and immediately loaded onto another, with minimal interaction with inland transportation systems or domestic cargo. In contrast, US ports are full-service gateways that handle a complex mix of imports and exports, integrating rail, trucking, and warehousing to deliver goods across a vast geography. Comparing these two types of facilities is like comparing apples to oranges.”
He said US ports handled one of the highest volumes of cargo in the world. The Port of Los Angeles processes over 9 million TEUs annually, while the Port of New York and New Jersey handled approximately 9.5m TEUs.
“These ports are not only managing import and export cargo but are also critical links in a supply chain that serves vast regions of the country. This includes moving goods to distribution centres and rail networks spanning thousands of miles. The scale and complexity of these operations far exceed the operations of most transhipment ports.”
He said despite the challenges, longshore workers represented by the ILA and other unions consistently demonstrated exceptional productivity.
In his view, the World Bank’s study relies on criteria like vessel turnaround times, which inherently favour transhipment ports that focus exclusively on unloading and reloading containers. US ports, on the other hand, must account for time-intensive processes like customs clearance, intermodal transfers, and extensive safety and security protocols mandated by US law. Ignoring these factors distorts the efficiency rankings.
He added that the mainstream media conveniently ignored surveys that ranked US ports among the most reliable in the world. “For instance, ports operated by ILA members consistently rank higher globally for throughput and reliability than their competitors. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of unionised workers who ensure that cargo flows smoothly despite mounting challenges.”
The ILA is at loggerheads with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) on semi-automation technology for ports along the East and Gulf Coasts.
The USMX represents terminal operators and ocean carriers in the region.
The ILA ended a three-day strike in October by agreeing to extend workers’ current contracts to January 15, 2025, to give both parties time to meet to resolve the automation concern and other issues.
That deadline is fast approaching.
