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US West Coast Ports Highlight Bunker Savings by Staff Port World, November 16, 2009

Six major US West Coast ports and two western railroads have come together to highlight the benefits of the West Coast as a "premier region" for trans-Pacific trade and emphasise the bunker savings that can be made by shipowners and operators.

The ports of Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, Oakland, Long Beach and Los Angeles, along with BNSF Railway Company and Union Pacific Railroad, announced the collaboration at the recent World Shipping Summit in Qingdoa, China.

"Today's economic conditions have compelled all of us to take a closer look at how we conduct our business to discover new approaches that yield improved results," said Omar Benjamin, executive director of the Port of Oakland.

"This is happening throughout the entire supply chain and US West Coast ports and Western railroads are no exception. Our mission is to further strengthen the US West Coast ports' position as the preferred gateway for Asia cargo to and from the Midwest and cities further east," Omar added.

Bill Wyatt, executive director of the Port of Portland added that the geographical proximity to China can result in saving for shipowners.

"US West Coast deployments require fewer vessels and transit times are faster. The resultant bunker fuel requirement is much lower," Wyatt stated.

"The typical US East Coast services from North China into Norfolk or New York/New Jersey for example will require nine to 11 vessels in a single loop versus. five to seven vessels required for most deployments into US West Coast ports," Wyatt added.

The objective of the collaboration is to identify and communicate the strengths and advantages of shipping through the US West Coast with ocean carriers and cargo owners, and "clarify and correct misinformation and/or misperceptions about the US West Coast ports and the Western railroads."

The collaboration also plans to act as one strong voice in Washington, D.C. advocating investment in US West Coast gateway intermodal infrastructure and promoting a strong National Goods Movement Strategy.