Shippers warn that insufficient infrastructure could create “perfect storm”

A lack of sufficient road and rail infrastructure, and insufficient port capacity will place stress on the global economy, creating the “perfect storm” for shipping according to the Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF).

At the Eurocoke Summit in Amsterdam, Chris Welsh, secretary-general of the GSF, said:  “Increasing international trade will set unprecedented challenges to the transport system, particularly around ports, in port hinterland distribution and in surface road and rail freight movements.”

Welsh added: “The West Coast of the US has given a glimpse of a nightmare situation. The ‘perfect storm’ of larger container ships, new maritime alliance configurations, vessel bunching, port congestion, labour disputes and a lack of inland haulage has placed unforeseen consequences on global supply chains and the US economy.”