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The National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE) released new survey findings based on input from 25 senior port and terminal executives, revealing that U.S. ports require billions in near-term capital investment to maintain efficiency and global competitiveness. Additionally, the survey found that there is demand for more than 100 new or replacement ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, underscoring the scale of modernization needed to accommodate larger vessels and maintain port efficiency.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The executives surveyed provided estimates on the costs associated with purchasing new STS cranes and cargo handling equipment (CHE), repairing existing assets, and upgrading terminal operations over the next five years.<\/p>\n
According to the survey, respondents estimate that\u00a0<\/strong>$6.7 billion\u00a0<\/strong>in total investment will be needed for cargo handling equipment at U.S. ports over the next five years. Of that total:<\/p>\n \u201cThese findings underscore the scale and urgency of the investment challenge facing U.S. ports,\u201d said NAWE President Carl Bentzel. \u201cModern cargo handling equipment is essential to ensuring terminal productivity, supply chain resilience, and the ability of U.S. ports to compete with international gateways. To invest in this equipment is an investment in securing America\u2019s future and supply chain, and will be the lynchpin to unlock tens of billions of private sector investment in related intermodal infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n The survey highlights the increasing cost pressures facing port operators as cargo volumes grow, vessels become larger, and equipment ages. Respondents emphasized that sustained capital investment\u2014supported by public-private collaboration\u2014will be critical to keeping pace with global competitors and meeting the demands of exporters, importers, and American consumers.<\/p>\n\n