There is a wide perception that US ports are facing 'intractable problems' in the long run, with the main areas of concern being capacity, capability, and connectivity. The first concern, port capacity, stems from prevailing trade forecasts, indicating long-term growth rates of 5% to 6% annually. These growth rates may seem modest in light of the 13.5% reported last year (see CI Regional Review: North American Ports-August 2003). However, when extended over 20 years, they amount to an overall growth of 300% to 400%. The port capacity for handling the trade is determined by the physical size of terminals, usually measured by terminal acres, and their productivity, usually measured by TEU/acre. Port experts claim that operational and technological improvements could boost present productivity of 4,000 to 5,000TEU/acre to, perhaps, 8,000 to 10,000TEU/acre. A more realistic figure would be 6,000TEU/acre, or 150% of the present productivity.
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