Centre Conjoint de Recherche sur les Transports OCDE/FIT : Documents de référence
- Discontinué
- Is continued by :
- Documents de travail du Forum international des transports
The International Transport Forum at the OECD is an intergovernmental organisation with 52 member countries. It acts as a strategic think tank for transport policy and organizes an annual summit of ministers. Our work is underpinned by economic research, statistics collection and policy analysis, often undertaken in collaboration with many of the world's leading research figures in academia, business and government. This series of Discussion Papers is intended to disseminate the International Transport Forum’s research findings rapidly among specialists in the field concerned.
- ISSN: 20708270 (online)
- https://doi.org/10.1787/20708270
Responding to Increasing Port-related Freight Volumes
Lessons from Los Angeles / Long Beach and Other US Ports and Hinterlands
Rapid growth in international trade over the last two decades has generated both
benefits and costs. Costs have become increasingly visible in metropolitan areas --
growing congestion, air pollution – and local communities are demanding solutions.
Congestion and air pollution associated with increased international trade have
become so severe in the Los Angeles region that port-related trade is facing increased
regulation by both state and local agencies. Historically US ports have been
remarkably autonomous. Their role as economic development engines is wellrecognized
by local leaders. Thus recent regulatory efforts represent a significant
change in public policy.
This report begins with an overview of trends in port-related trade and its impacts on
US metropolitan areas, and discusses changing public perceptions of port-related trade
as impacts have increased. Using Southern California as a case study, the report
examines responses by the ports, terminal operators, and allied industries to a changed
regulatory regime. Two examples are discussed in detail: 1) a state regulation
requiring appointments or extended hours at terminal gates, and 2) the OFFPeak
extended gate hours program. We use a political economy framework to explain
outcomes. I describe the main economic actors and their competitive positions, and
we explain the key aspects of the US regulatory system affecting these actors. Those
with significant market power within the international trade supply chain were
successful in staving off several regulatory attempts to force changes in operating
practices. When regulations were imposed, they were able to structure responses to
protect their economic interests. Results suggest that “dominant actors” – ports,
terminal operators, steamship lines, and their major clients – will continue to be a
strong influence in efforts to solve trade-related environmental problems.
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