MTR 261, More Stuff, More Trucks

Mobilizing the Region
Issue 261 March 17, 2000

More Stuff, More Trucks

The Port of New York and New Jersey shipped a record amount of cargo last year. The number of containers handled at the port increased 7.9% to 2 million and the amount of general cargo increased 7.3% to 17.9 million long tons - outpacing the national growth rate of 6%. As a percent of East Coast market share, the port's cargo jumped 1.7% to 57.4%. Should New York's and New Jersey's governors end their stand-off, the Port Authority could close some high-priority deals, including the Sealand/Maersk container hub, and expect similar freight flows far into the future (see MTR216).

On the downside, transportation of freight by rail did not keep pace with the overall growth. As reported in the Journal of Commerce, CSX and Norfolk Southern's cargo shipping grew by only 2.4% in 1999. Thus, although the absolute numbers of trains increased, their market share went down.

New York and New Jersey are far behind West Coast ports in their commitment to reducing freight transportation by truck. The Port of Tacoma, WA moves 80% of its freight by train. And at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, a 20-mile high capacity rail corridor is being built to speed trains - increasing their efficiency and making them more competitive.