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Transportation of the future: understanding port logistics: by 2020, even at moderate rates of domestic growth, the international container trade will double from current levels.

Article Excerpt
Transportation is one of the most critical components in civilian and military logistics operation. Freight transportation is a vital component of the economy, an indicator, and a contributor to economic growth and stability. Transportation networks facilitate the movements of goods and people to markets and are essential for the prosperity of a society and the competitiveness of an economy (Denisis, 2009). Efficient transportation generates logistical savings for businesses through economies of scale, production, and distribution flexibilities. The success of business and industry, as well as the military, relies heavily on efficient air and sea transportation systems (Goldsman & Kang, 2002). Even though it can be argued that the most efficient means of civilian transportation and cargo delivery is via air, most military transportation is accomplished by some combination of air, sea, and land methods. A ship for example, although slow, moves a large amount of material at a very low cost (Goldsman & Kang, 2002).

The beginning of containerized cargo shipping began with the shipping of a Sea-Land container aboard the SS Ideal-X, which left the Port of Newark New Jersey in April of 1956 and headed for the Port of Houston, Texas. (Maersk, 2009). This was to begin a revolution in shipping large quantities of goods at substantially lower costs than in the past. Today there are major container ports in Long Beach, California, New York, Newark, New Jersey, and Singapore.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) forecasts that by 2020, even at moderate rates of domestic growth, the international container trade will double from current levels (Maritime Transportation System Task Force, 1999). This cargo flow surge has placed significant stress on the U.S. transportation network. Major coastal ports are...

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