The United States moves billions of dollars in trade through its ports every year, but the equipment doing much of that work is overdue for an upgrade.
Carl Bentzel, President of the National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE), sits down with The Intermodal Logistics Podcast to walk us through a major survey of 25 port executives his organization released in May. The findings are striking: port leaders across the country have collectively identified $6.7 billion in equipment needs over the next five years just to keep pace with growing demand and an increasingly competitive global shipping environment.
He notes new cranes are at the top of the list, driven by the arrival of ever-larger vessels that existing equipment simply wasn't built to handle. And additional gear upgrades would bring meaningful gains in both efficiency and safety across U.S. port facilities. Carl points out the tariff environment however, is adding a layer of complexity as crane manufacturing is almost entirely concentrated in China, which currently faces significant U.S. duties.
He tells us NAWE is actively seeking clarification and exemptions and watching that situation closely. Carl also addresses how port operators are coordinating with their labor union partners to make sure any new equipment investments align with automation provisions written into current contracts.
Beyond identifying the need, he makes clear that federal investment will be essential. He explains how NAWE is pushing for the establishment of a Maritime Security Trust Fund that would provide a dedicated, reliable funding stream for port infrastructure, similar to the model that has long existed for highway investment.
Carl also takes us through his impressive résumé, having served as a Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Commissioner across both the Trump and Biden Administrations (2019-2024) and his current simultaneous role as Executive Director of the National Maritime Safety Association. He reflects on how the pandemic fundamentally changed public and political awareness of port operations, shares his read on current activity levels, and explains why NAWE is watching the proposed Union Pacific – Norfolk Southern railroad merger with a cautious eye.
For more on NAWE, visit www.nawe.us.
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