Views of Port Industry

The nation's ports are firmly opposed to the interest of government agencies in federal direction and control of the planning and development of ports and terminal facilities. Water transportation plays a vitally important role in the handling of both domestic and overseas cargo, evidenced by the fact that almost all large cities in the United States are located on a coastline or navigable waterway. Healthy competition among ports to attract foreign and domestic trade has been the principal factor in their financing, and for the building and operation of modern terminal facilities for handling the new containerships. Port agencies have also provided trade development offices and world trade centers which promote the movement of world trade. Federal participation in port development should be limited to its present role in constructing and maintaining navigational aids and improvements such as channels. However, federal studies of regional channel needs for deep-draft ships such as supertankers are justified, but local port interests should participate fully in the progress of such studies.