AmericasPorts and Logistics

Mega hubs cause more pollution: Peel Ports

Sao Paulo: The emergence of mega gateway ports is in danger of failing the global supply chain, causing congestion, adding cost and impacting on air quality and local environments, delegates at Intermodal – South America’s largest multimodal logistics event – will be told this week.

During a presentation in Sao Paulo tomorrow, Patrick Walters, commercial director of Peel Ports, the UK’s second largest port operator, will call for a radical rethink by the supply chain to refocus on direct calls at ports closest to cargo centres as an integral part of the global supply chain network design.

He said, “Port selection needs to be based on proximity to market. Loading or discharging cargo at ports which are remote from the initial origin or ultimate destination of cargo is costly, inefficient, risky and environmentally damaging. Direct calls at regional ports, close to import and export centres, with transhipment occurring at transhipment ports, provide real solutions for tackling congestion and increasing opportunities for the efficient transfer of goods. Delivering ocean freight closer to destinations cuts the cost of inland transportation and removes the delay associated with the current pattern of remote shipments.”

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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