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Who’s Number One?

Normally, the Port of Los Angeles is the nation’s busiest container gateway. Still, from time to time, the Port of New York/New Jersey (PNYNJ) lays claim to the title, invariably causing the East Coast media to break out the celebratory sparklers. The contest for the nation’s top container port is typically framed in the media as a rivalry between PNYNJ and the Port of LA, the Yankees vs. the Dodgers, if you will.

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Commentary, Advocacy and Opinions, Tariffs Natasha Villa Commentary, Advocacy and Opinions, Tariffs Natasha Villa

To Reduce or Not to Reduce Emissions? That is the Question

Jennifer Cohen, PMSA Vice President, Government Relations

PMSA has sponsored a bill for the past several years in the California state legislature to facilitate testing and piloting, at 100% private expense, of cargo handling equipment (CHE) technology that eliminates tailpipe greenhouse gas and diesel particulate matter emissions, and nearly eliminates nitrogen oxide emissions.

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Commentary, Advocacy and Opinions, Tariffs Natasha Villa Commentary, Advocacy and Opinions, Tariffs Natasha Villa

Dissecting the Backhaul Trade: Empties vs. Exports 

Jock O’Connell

Explore the complexities of America’s containerized export trade in this in-depth analysis by Jock O’Connell. From rising outbound empty TEUs to long-standing trade imbalances, this article examines the economic, political, and logistical forces behind the U.S. backhaul trade. Featuring port-by-port breakdowns and historical context, it offers crucial insight into why empties are overtaking exports and what that reveals about U.S. competitiveness in global trade.

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Commentary, Advocacy and Opinions, Tariffs Natasha Villa Commentary, Advocacy and Opinions, Tariffs Natasha Villa

Rebuilding the US Maritime Manufacturing Sector Requires Collaboration and Investment, Not New Tariffs and Taxes

Mike Jacob, President

In a political environment with a dearth of work across the aisle, the bipartisanship in efforts to reinvigorate and grow the US footprint in the maritime industry, including in the shipbuilding and equipment manufacturing sectors, is particularly remarkable. 

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Commentary, Advocacy and Opinions, Tariffs Natasha Villa Commentary, Advocacy and Opinions, Tariffs Natasha Villa

When the National Closet Gets Too Full

Jock O’Connell

My late Aunt Euphrasia’s daughter Philomena has long been a prescient source of market intelligence. A notoriously frugal soul, she has always shopped for household staples, along with her usual supply of “cooking” wines, at discount stores she derisively refers to as her “General Buck” stores.

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Shifting Currents: Air Freight Surges as Container Trade Reverts to Norms

Everyone knows that importers striving to avoid impending tariff increases brought in a passel of products during the first quarter of this year. In every media outlet from print newspapers to gubernatorial podcasts, images depicting seaport operations are used to frame reports about the nation’s foreign trade.

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Commentary, Advocacy and Opinions, Tariffs Natasha Villa Commentary, Advocacy and Opinions, Tariffs Natasha Villa

Is It Too Late to Rescue American Global Economic Strength from Our Unforced Tariff Errors?

Mike Jacob, President

In this compelling commentary, PMSA President Mike Jacob critiques recent U.S. tariff policies as self-inflicted setbacks to American global economic leadership. He highlights the risks these measures pose to consumers, supply chains, and long-term industrial growth—including efforts to revitalize U.S. shipbuilding. Jacob calls for a return to trade policies that foster economic strength, global trust, and strategic maritime investment.

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