Issues Related to Labor Shortages and Port Effectiveness

摘要

The purpose of this research effort was to explore possible causes and effects, as well as solutions involving potential maritime-related supply chain labor shortages and port operations, specifically as these shortages relate to port effectiveness. This author has served on the Education & Training Committee for the Virginia Maritime Association (VMA) for several years and has held the position of chair of that committee for the past two years. The VMA is a trade association that works to support all maritime industries throughout the state of Virginia including direct maritime shipping, as well as indirectly related industries. Through the committee's work with various constituencies, it has become quite evident that a labor shortage within these industries may exist although the specific causes and variables related to this labor shortage (and its subsequent effects) might not be well documented. This research would be beneficial to the VMA as one of its directives is to support human resource development efforts in supply chain industries.