Founded in 1912, AAPA today represents 160 of the leading
seaport authorities in the United States, Canada, Latin America and the
Caribbean and more than 300 sustaining and associate members, firms and
individuals with an interest in seaports. As a critical link for access to the
global marketplace, each year, U.S. seaports alone generate some $3.2 trillion
in economic activity, support the employment of more than 13 million people and
import and export more than 2 billion tons of cargo including food, clothing,
medicine, fuel and building materials, as well as consumer electronics and
toys. The volume of cargo shipped by water is expected to dramatically increase
by 2020 and the number of passengers traveling through our seaports will
continue to grow. To meet these demands, the AAPA and its members are committed
to keeping seaports navigable, secure and sustainable.
Summary: Seaports have always been and will continue to be integral to the economy, environment and security of the regions and nations they serve. As such, marine spatial planning processes now underway or being considered worldwide must factor in the seaport industry’s role and how goods move around the globe.
Summary: Air quality issues are receiving increasing attention at U.S. ports. As larger vessels enter U.S. waters bringing more cargo, ports must expand their landside operations to accommodate this growth. As landside infrastructure expands, truck and rail traffic to and from U.S. ports also increases. While trade yields tremendous economic benefits for the port community, as well as local, state and federal governments, it can impact air quality in and around port communities if the growth isnot carefully planned and/or mitigated.
Summary: The nation’s intermodal transportation system is only as efficient as its narrowest, most congestedpoint, which is often the landside connection at ports. No matter how heavily ports invest or howproductive ports make their marine terminal facilities, our transportation system cannot operate tomaximum efficiency unless cargo can move quickly, and cost effectively, in and out of ports.
Summary: Revise the federal cost-sharing formula for navigation improvement projects to reflect the growing size of general cargo vessels and their corresponding navigation channel needs, as well as the significant burden on local port authorities of maintaining channels deep enough to accommodate the larger general cargo vessels.
Summary: Seaports have always been and will continue to be integral to the economy, environment and security of the regions and nations they serve. As such, marine spatial planning processes now underway or being considered worldwide must factor in the seaport industry’s role and how goods move around the globe.
