BLUST SAYS “THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME” TO PROMOTE THE MARITIME INDUSTRY
BLUST SAYS “THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME” TO PROMOTE THE MARITIME INDUSTRY
Steven R. Blust, chairman of the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission, said that it would be timely for all the stakeholders in the maritime industry to promote the maritime industry.
“It seems to me that there has never been a better time to raise the public profile of the maritime industry,” Blust told the International Propeller Club conference in
Charleston, S.C. He said that the West Coast port shutdown, concerns about its economic impact and anti-terrorist port issues have been broadcast widely.
“The public is newly aware of the potential vulnerability of our ports and ships to terrorist activity, which in turn should bring to the forefront the importance of the industry and international trade generally in the day to day lives of the American people,” Blust said. “For better or worse, the West Coast port shutdown may help to do this.”
Blust believes that projections for cargo growth look very good. The U.S. Department of Transportation released a recent study indicating that tonnage volume in the nation’s transportation system should increase by about 70 percent by the year 2020, he reported.
“Most of that will be in international freight which is expected to double,” he said. “Even now, cargo volumes are high, ships are full on many key trade lanes and rates from a shipper’s perspective are low.”
However, Blust cautioned that the trade imbalance in the transpacific and other trades such as South America “will likely continue to plague carriers.” And infrastructure constraints of roadways, railways and ports could limit the ability to handle the increased volumes, while new security requirements are introduced.
Blust said that the FMC’s commercial compliance and enforcement processes can help deter and limit potential security violations.
“We also use our expertise and vast collection of commercial information to assist the various entities on the front lines of securing our ports and vessels,” he said. The FMC participates in multi-agency task forces and has direct communications with other agencies, such as Customs when cargo misdeclarations are identified.
Blust invited stakeholders in the industry to use the FMC as a kind of “help desk.” The agency has commenced a series of seminars hosted by its five field offices to help educate the industry and the public about its functions and services.
“Topics will likely range from the assistance the Commission can offer you in your day to day business to topics of timely interest to the industry as a whole,” Blust said.