NRF: Port statistic tracking would help avoid slowdowns

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation (NRF) and more than 100 other business groups are formally calling for passage of legislation that would require the Transportation Department to track port statistics.



In a letter addressed to John Thune (R-S.C.), chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, the NRF and its allies said this would help prevent a repeat of the congestion and slowdowns that occurred along the West Coast during the labor dispute resolved earlier this year.



“U.S. ports are a key component in the American transportation system and the global supply chain that thousands of businesses and millions of workers depend on,” the letter said. “Unfortunately, due to a variety of contributing factors, congestion has become commonplace at ports across the country.”



The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee has voted to send the Comprehensive Transportation and Consumer Protection Act, a six-year transportation authorization bill, to the floor of the Senate. The letter was signed by groups representing retailers, wholesalers, importers, manufacturers, exporters, distributors, agriculture, and transportation and logistics providers.



The legislation was introduced in response to slowdowns that occurred at West Coast ports after the contract between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union expired in July 2014.