Letter Conveys Port Performance Act Support

The NCC joined with numerous agricultural, agribusiness, transportation and other organizations on a letter to House Members in support of an amendment to include the “Port Performance Act” in a six-year surface transportation bill.

Published: November 6, 2015
Updated: November 6, 2015

November 2, 2015

The Honorable XX
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the undersigned organizations representing manufacturers, farmers and agribusinesses, wholesalers, retailers, importers, exporters, distributors, transportation and logistics providers, and other supply chain stakeholders, we urge support for the amendment offered by Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA) to include the "Port Performance Act" in the "Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act" (H.R. 3763).We believe this bill is an important first step to gain empirical visibility into how U.S. ports are operating, identify key congestion issues, and ensure our nation's commerce continues to flow efficiently. The language has already been approved in the Senate-passed "DRIVE Act" (H.R. 22).

U.S. ports are a key component in the American transportation system and the global supply chain upon which thousands of businesses and millions of workers depend for the efficient movement of goods. Unfortunately, due to a variety of contributing factors, congestion has become commonplace at ports across the country. This congestion has resulted in slowdowns, bottlenecks, and chokepoints that impact the efficient flow of cargo with far reaching impacts on all supply chain stakeholders. One only needs to look at the damage caused to the U.S. economy from the slowdowns and congestion that impacted U.S. ports earlier this year. Today's reality is that supply chain stakeholders do not have any consistent or objective means to measure performance in these key marine transportation nodes.

There is a strong need to start collecting basic uniform data on port performance as a means to address ongoing congestion issues that impact the national economy. This is an essential step to ensure that we fully understand the current and future challenges facing our ports and identify the right solutions. We stand ready to work with you in support of this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Agricultural & Food Transporters Conference

Agricultural Retailers Association

Agriculture Transportation Coalition

Airforwarders Association

Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers

Almond Hullers & Processors Association

American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)

American Chemistry Council

American Cotton Shippers Association

American Farm Bureau Federation

American Frozen Food Institute

American Home Furnishings Alliance

American Import Shippers Association

American Potato Trade Alliance

American Pyrotechnics Association

American Soybean Association

American Trucking Associations

Association of American Railroads

Association of Food Industries

Auto Care Association

California Business Properties Association

California Chamber of Commerce

California Farm Bureau Federation

California League of Food Processors

California Trucking Association

California Retailers Association

California Walnut Commission

CAWA – Representing the automotive Parts Industry

Columbia River Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association

Customs Brokers & International Freight Forwarders of Washington State

Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of Northern California

Fashion Accessories Shippers Association (FASA)

Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America

Foreign Trade Association

Gamma Industry Processing Alliance

Gemini Shippers Association

Global Automakers

Global Cold Chain Alliance

Grocery Manufacturers Association

Halloween Industry Association

Harbor Trucking Association

Institute of Makers of Explosives

Intermodal Motor Carriers Conference

International Association of Movers (IAM)

International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses

International Refrigerated Transportation Association

International Source Suppliers and Producers Association

International Wood Products Association

Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association

Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association

Meat Import Council of America

Midwest Shippers Association

Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association

National Association of Chemical Distributors

National Cotton Council

National Council of Farmer Cooperatives

National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America

National Grain and Feed Association

National Oilseed Processors Association

National Onion Association

National Pork Producers Council

National Potato Council

National Retail Federation

National Shippers Strategic Transportation Council (NASSTRAC)

National Waste & Recycling Association

New Jersey Motor Truck Association

North American Home Furnishings Association

North American Meat Institute

North American Shippers Association, Inc.

National Association of Manufacturers

Northwest Food Processors Association

Northwest Horticultural Council

Oregon Export Straw Association

Oregon Farm Bureau

Oregon Potato Commission

Oregon Women for Agriculture

Oregonians for Food and Shelter

Outdoor Industry Association

Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Inc.

PPAI - Promotional Products Association International

Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association

Pacific Northwest Asia Shippers Association

Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association

Retail Industry Leaders Association

San Diego Customs Brokers Association

The Fertilizer Institute

The Hardwood Federation

The National Industrial Transportation League

The Waterfront Coalition

Toy Industry Association

Travel Goods Association (TGA)

U.S. Apple Association

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

U.S. Fashion Industry Association

United Fresh Produce Association

United States Hide, Skin and Leather Association

US Dry Bean Council

US Forage Export Council

USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council

Washington Association of Wheat Growers

Washington Cattle Feeders Association

Washington Council for International Trade

Washington Farm Bureau

Washington Friends of Farms & Forests

Washington Grain Commission

Washington Retail Association

Washington State Hay Growers Association

Washington State Potato Commission

Western Growers