February 26, 2018

From the desk of Capt. Jeff Monroe, MM, AMPE

International Association of Maritime and Port Executives

CARGO PREDICTIONS POSITIVE FOR 2018

Industry experts are expecting to see container handling increases in 2018. Imports at major container ports in the U.S. alone are expected to grow 4.9 percent during the first half of 2018 compared with the same period a year earlier. Retail sales are expected to grow between 3.8 and 4.4 percent over 2017’s $3.53 trillion. Ports reviewed handled 1.72 million TEUs in December, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. With most holiday merchandise already in the country by then, the number was down 2.1 percent from November but up 8.4 percent year-over-year. The total for 2017 was 20.5 million TEU, topping 2016’s record 19.1 million TEU by 7.6 percent. Expectations for the first half of 2018 are an estimated10.3 million TEU, an increase of 4.9 percent over the first half of 2017. Estimates for Canadian Ports were not available. Container rates according to the World Container Index are expected to see a slight growth after good growth in Q4 of 2017 and slight downturn last week. Other areas of growth include LNG and crude oil exports, containerized reefer cargo both import and export, aluminum and steel. There is pressure on the current administration in the US to place tariffs on steel and aluminum imports because of lower production costs outside of the US. The aviation industry is particularly concerned due to potential increased costs of production of aircraft exported outside of the US. (Sources: MarEx, National Retail Federation-Global Port Tracker/Hackett Associates, US National Energy Information Office, Drewry World Container Index, AJOT).

TRUCKING TONNAGE UP

The American Trucking Association (ATA) has released their advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index. Tonnage increased 2% in January after falling 0.3% in December. In January, the index equaled 111.6 (2015=100), up from 109.4 in December. Compared with January 2017, the SA index jumped 8.8%, which was above December’s 7.5% year-over-year gain. For all of 2017, the index increased 3.8% over 2016. The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 106.9 in January, which was 0.4% above the previous month (106.5). The ATA noted that trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 70.6% of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled nearly 10.5 billion tons of freight in 2016. Motor carriers collected $676.2 billion, or 79.8% of total revenue earned by all transport modes. ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure and subject to change in the final report issued around the 10th day of the month. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant economic comparisons and key financial indicators.

CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR 2018

The Continuing Education program for 2018 which will be held in Portland (OR), Port Tampa Bay and the Port of South Louisiana (see schedule below), will feature a practical workshop including tariff development and revision requirements, rates and charges, fee development, terminal issued rules and regulations, foreign trade zones, an industry update and pending new federal regulations and judicial impacts. The 2 day program offers 16 continuing education credits for the Accredited Marine Port Executive (AMPE) certification. Cost for the 2 days is $975.00 USD.

MPE HOUSTON

The MPE Seminar in Houston will be held at the offices of our education partner the Greater Houston Port Bureau, 111 East Loop North, Houston, TX 77029 (inside the Port of Houston Authority Executive Building). The program is co-sponsored by the Port Bureau and HDR. Greater Port Bureau members receive a member discount on the seminar fee. A port tour is being planned. Contact info@iampe.org for more information or registration@iampe.org to register. Registration ends April 4th. Size limit is 15 participants.

2018 IAMPE SCHEDULE

April 9 - 13: Houston, TX (MPE) Host Houston Port Bureau/HDR

May 14 - 18: New York-New Jersey (MPE) Host PANYNJ

June 6 - 7: Portland, OR (Continuing Education) Host HDR

June 18 - 22: Milwaukee, WI (IMPE) Host MPA-IRPT

Sept 10 - 14: Connecticut (MPE) Host CTPA

Sept 24 - 28: Tulsa (IMPE) Host Port Tulsa

Oct 15 - 16: Tampa (Continuing Education) Host Port Tampa Bay

Oct 17 - 18: Louisiana (Continuing Education) Host POSLA

Nov 5 - 9: Vicksburg (IMPE) Host Vicksburg, MS

Hosts: GPA-Georgia Ports Authority, HDR-HDR Engineering, PANYNJ-Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, MPA-Milwaukee Port Authority, IRPT-Inland Ports and Terminals Association, Port Tulsa-Tulsa Port Authority, CTPA-Connecticut Port Authority, PortTampaBay-Tampa Florida Port Authority, POSLA-Port of South Louisiana, Port Vicksburg-Vicksburg Mississippi Port Authority. MPM-16 Hour Marine Port Manager Program MPE-36 Hour Marine Port Executive Program IMPE-36 Hour Inland Marine Port Executive Program Continuing Education-16 Hour Program -Accredited Marine Port Executive Certification

MTO - 16 Hour Marine Terminal Operator - Custom Sponsored and Scheduled

For additional information: Capt. Michelle Ross info@iampe.org

To register for classes, contact John Gleason at registration@iampe.org

To register for the classes, please email registration@iampe.org. For additional information: info@iampe.org

“For A World Connected By Water”