LOS ANGELES, Oct. 7, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta today delivered the culminating keynote address to nearly 100 maritime industry leaders from around the world who gathered for the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) Executive Committee meeting and 50th Anniversary Celebration. (Note: Full text of speech follows.)
"Because maritime commerce is so important to international trade, it's in our best interests to stand together to confront the issues that challenge the international community," stated Mineta. He briefly discussed the recent maritime agreement between the U.S. and Brazil, explaining that it will not only help promote trade, but will also strengthen relations between important allies. The pact builds upon similar maritime agreements that the U.S. has forged with other nations, including China.
"But all the maritime deals in the world will accomplish nothing unless we confront the twin challenges of capacity and congestion," Mineta said. "It is imperative that transportation systems support and encourage trade, not serve as a bottleneck to it."
Mineta added, "Our goal is simple. Our nation's maritime infrastructure must keep pace with soaring increases in global trade. Key ports around the globe are adding significantly to their own capacity, much of it aimed at funneling exports directly to the American market. Therefore, it is critical that we continue to work together to build a more cohesive partnership among the world's ports and harbors."
IAPH President H. Thomas Kornegay stated, "We greatly appreciate Secretary Mineta's understanding of the vital role of ports in the global transportation industry. His supportive insights and perspectives are tremendously valuable as our global organization forges ahead with a bold agenda aimed at tackling enormous challenges and seizing vast opportunities that confront ports worldwide -- from economic viability and capital resource development to security and environmental stewardship."
The week-long IAPH executive committee meeting at the Marina Hotel Port of Los Angeles/San Pedro featured technical presentations and deliberations on critical issues confronting global ports, including port security after implementation of ISPS code, green port initiatives, port congestion, ballast water, and related transportation issues. Other highlights of the week-long IAPH conference included tours of the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach aboard the M/V Spirit. A ceremony was held on Thursday to mark the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the IAPH and the Organization of American States. For the entire conference agenda, please visit WWW.IAPHLA-EXCO.COM
The IAPH is a world ports association that represents the interests of 340 members in 85 countries and economies. Since its inception in November 1955, the mission of IAPH has been to impact port and harbor efficiency, advocate and serve for the betterment and collective interests of the global maritime community by bringing together the vast experiences and expertise of industry leadership. IAPH has consultative status as a non-governmental organization on international maritime communities such as United Nations Economic and Social Council, International Maritime Organization, United Nations Environment Programme, and International Labour Organizations.
With a headquarters in Tokyo, Japan and an office in Europe, the IAPH serves as the organization that represents the global views of maritime related issues. The organization has world-wide representation of public and private port authorities and operators, maritime related governmental agencies, over 100 shipping lines, stevedores, warehouse businesses, national and regional port associations, maritime related research institutes, and port-related manufacturers. IAPH member ports handled a total of 7.1 billion tons of sea trade which represented approximately 60 percent of the world trade and 85 percent of the container traffic. For more information about IAPH and how to become a member, visit the IAPH Website at www.IAPHworldports.org
REMARKS BY THE HONORABLE NORMAN Y. MINETA U.S. SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PORTS AND HARBORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING LOS ANGELES OCTOBER 7, 2005 10:30 A.M.
I want to thank my fellow Mayor, Mayor Villaraigosa, for that kind introduction. But more importantly, I appreciate the outstanding way in which he's helping Los Angeles realize its full potential.
Good morning, everyone, and thank you very, very much for that warm welcome. I appreciate the fact that you've taken time from your busy schedules to be here for this gathering. So, let me start off by wishing the Association a "Happy 50th Anniversary!"
And I want to congratulate Thomas Kornegay, IAPH President and head of the Port of Houston, for his unflappable leadership during a rough time for our Nation's Gulf Coast area. Although the Port of Houston was not directly hit by the recent hurricanes, Tom has had a first-hand view of the impacts on the maritime sector. That's because Houston and other ports in the region continue to receive diverted cargo from the ports that were slammed by Mother Nature.
As all of us know, a vibrant maritime sector is key to creating jobs and driving economic growth.
I'm happy to say that the Gulf Coast's ports are coming back to life. The Port of New Orleans, fifth-largest in the country and gateway to the Nation's interior, opened for business earlier than expected, and hopes to return to 100 percent capacity in a few months. With the world's attention rightfully focused on the devastation wrought by Katrina and Rita, I don't want anyone to lose sight of looming transportation challenges that have nothing to do with the weather. I'm speaking of growing trade volumes that, while indicative of a strong economy, threaten to clog our ports and their transportation connections. The effects of port congestion on the West Coast ripple across the entire world. Many of you remember all too well last year's headaches that shippers experienced at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
None of us wants a repeat of that. I commend both port authorities for working so hard to reduce the bottlenecks that threaten our economies. In particular, the implementation of PierPass, an innovative approach to reducing congestion through pricing, has had a beneficial impact on the port and surrounding communities.
Because maritime commerce is so important to international trade, it's in our best interests to stand together to confront the issues that challenge the international community. President Bush has made free and open trade a top priority, and commercial ocean links play a substantial role in his trade plans.
Recently, we signed a maritime agreement with Brazil that will not only help promote trade, but will also strengthen relations between important allies. This pact builds upon similar maritime agreements that the United States has forged with other Nations, including our largest overseas trading partner, China. And, we are in the early stages of negotiations with Vietnam on a similar agreement.
But all the maritime deals in the world will accomplish nothing unless we confront the twin challenges of capacity and congestion. We are doing just that. For example, we now have a Southern California Gateway Office in Long Beach to help us closely monitor the issues related to the movement of freight. I'd like to introduce the head of that office, Randy Rogers. Randy, please stand up.
With this one-stop shop, we want shippers and the port community to enjoy easy access to the Department of Transportation as we work together to address the critical capacity issues at the country's most vital trade gateway.
It is imperative that transportation systems support and encourage trade, not serve as a bottleneck to it. That is why we took a second look at our federal maritime policy, which, up until now, was too disjointed and too unfocused. In response, President Bush led the effort to combine twelve agencies into a stand-alone body known as the Committee on the Marine Transportation System. He put this panel on par with other high-level Cabinet agencies, giving it -- and the maritime sector -- the attention that they rightly deserve.
Our work is already underway. I chaired the inaugural meeting this past July at the White House, and we approved a charter that will serve as a solid foundation on which to build. With this Committee, we envision a new way of doing business for marine transportation. We will address critical priorities, establish policies, and develop solutions that meet the difficult challenges of port congestion, security, and economic development. Elevating this committee was a lead component of our SEA-21 initiative, which will ensure that the maritime transportation system is appropriately integrated into our national transportation system.
Moving goods efficiently from Point A to Point B figured prominently in our surface transportation reauthorization measure called SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users). SAFETEA-LU contains provisions designed to improve the efficiency of the Marine Transportation System. For example, it allows for significant infrastructure investment in major trade corridors and intermodal projects that directly relate to seaport connections.
On the financing front, SAFETEA-LU expands project eligibility for a loan program called TIFIA, or Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act. Large intermodal investments, including those made by the private sector, are now eligible for federal credit on favorable borrowing terms. These changes are critical, because public-private partnerships can be an important solution to port congestion. In addition, transportation improvements made inside seaports are now eligible for credit assistance.
Our goal is simple. Our Nation's maritime infrastructure must keep pace with soaring increases in global trade. Key ports around the globe are adding significantly to their own capacity, much of it aimed at funneling exports directly to the American market.
Twenty years ago, it would have been difficult to forecast how the global economy would work in 2005. Back then, efficiency was what you wanted in order to make a little more profit than your competitor. But today, efficiency is a prerequisite to economic survival.
Therefore, it is critical that we continue to work together to build a more cohesive partnership among the world's ports and harbors. This Association and I know that our future prosperity depends on it.
I want to thank each of you for taking the time to be here today, and for allowing me the opportunity to share these thoughts with you.
Travel safely.