Issue link: https://jocdigital.uberflip.com/i/1064927
Government | EXECUTIVE COMMENTARY 2019 ANNUAL REVIEW & OUTLOOK 86 The Journal of Commerce | Januar y 7 2019 www.joc.com the Corps of Engineers navigation program, including making progress toward full use of annual Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) revenue, a top 2019 priority is Congress adopting the American Association of Port Authorities' unified industry plan that devotes 100 percent of HMT funds to America's ports, while placing no additional tax burden on the industry or taxpayers. This plan provides a fair, equitable and reliable way to ensure the health of this critical part of Amer - ica's transportation infrastructure. On the landside, the AAPA strongly advocates for a bill, like the one introduced in October by Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., to lift the multi - modal cap on FAST Act INFRA grants. US seaports have identified $66 billion in necessary port-related infra - structure federal investments over 10 years to keep freight moving effi- ciently … $33.8 billion for waterside and $32.03 billion for landside invest- ments. The waterside portion calls for spending $27.6 billion to maintain deep-draft channels and harbors, and American Association of Port Authorities Kurt Nagle President and CEO www.aapa-ports.org Enactment of a federal infra- structure investment package, together with increased congressional appropriations for the US Department of Transportation's Tiger/Build and the Maritime Administration's Marine Highways and Strong Ports programs, port security and diesel emissions reductions grants, addi - tional Customs inspectors at seaports, FAST Act investments, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's navigation program are among key federal priorities for America's seaports. While ports are pleased Con - gress continues strong funding for $6.2 billion to modernize them. The landside portion calls for spending $28.9 billion to build vital road and rail connectors to ports, and $3.13 billion to improve port infrastructure, allow - ing more funding for multimodal freight projects. America's seaport activity accounts for over a quarter of the national economy and supports 23 million US jobs. Local ports and their private sector partners plan to invest an estimated $155 billion into infrastructure between 2016 and 2020. Leveraging federal investments in port-related programs will yield huge dividends in economic growth, maintaining and creating jobs, enhancing America's international competitiveness and sustaining a healthy environment. Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association Ruth Snowden Executive Director www.ciffa.com CIFFA, the Canadian International Freight For- warders Association, celebrated its 70th anniver- sary in 2018 with a three-day conference in October, themed 'Global Supply Chains in a Digital Future.' There were many moments of fun, networking, and connection, but also some important messages that emerged from our talented group of speakers. As one of our keynote speakers highlighted, we are in a new data envi - ronment, where data and information "have gone from being static, scarce, highly structured, and authoritative, to bottom-up, dynamic, 'messy,' and ubiquitous." In terms of government, regula- tions, and trade, Canada, during recent negotiations with the US and Mexico on moving forward with a revamped North American Free Trade Agree- ment (now USMCA), is still facing a new age of protectionism with duties and tariffs, and where the classifica- tion of products has become ever more key in compliance, to ensure a smooth CLECAT Nicolette van der Jagt Director General www.clecat.org While the past has been defined mostly by efforts directed toward the simplification of customs pro- cedures, at present a significant change, characterised mostly by growing protectionist tendencies, can be observed. As the trade landscape is continuously moving further away from simplifications to protection- ism, it becomes increasingly more difficult to ensure a balanced approach. Working together a good cooperation between the public and private sector is therefore paramount. Today international trade is not only burdened by tariff measures, but also by non-tariff barriers. To resolve this, controls should be pushed away from the border, i.e., when there is no urgent need to intervene at the border, such an intervention should be avoided. Instead, controls should take place either at the start or the end of the supply chain in cross-border operations. Thus, a system-based approach should be chosen, which takes into account internal processes. Utilizing coordi - nated border management, for example, through creating a One-Stop-Shop (OSS) in which the data requirements are merged and processed within the govern- ment, also remains important. As I observed before, companies in Europe have huge challenges to recruit and educate employees. With a lot of new systems and leg- islation, digitalization and Brexit as the main challenges of the industry, the need for trained employees becomes increasingly important. New employees will have to be educated and trained to higher standards than before and with new skills. Jobs are being transformed, too: The digital transformation at work is allowing new work arrange - ments to emerge, some of which hold the promise of more flexibility, in terms of workplace and working hours, for instance. But younger people also have a different atti- tude toward their jobs and have different demands from their employers in terms of work/private life balance and training. Therefore, it remains extremely important to attract the younger generations, men and women to the logistics and customs profession. The reality of today remains that we see a lot of women in logistics but not enough women in leadership positions. In my view, more women in the logistics means more talent, a wider vision, and enhanced inno - vation. The problem-solving skills of women suits the logistics sector particularly well. Also, having more women in positions that shape policy and drive change in our societies will better address our needs. Technology should be embraced where it is an opportunity and an enhancement, not a disruptor. ▶ Ruth Snowden ◀ US seaports have identified $66 billion in necessary port- related infrastructure federal investments over 10 years to keep freight moving efficiently Kurt Nagle