One of the country’s busiest ports for goods coming into the nation will be able to get relief within the next few months under the funding flexibility announced on Tuesday by the Biden administration, a report said. Other initiatives to alleviate the congestion in the supply chain were also announced.
The retail industry has been warning about supply shortages for the coming holiday season.
Soon, it is expected that the Georgia Port Authority will be capable of redistributing more than $8 million of earlier funding to establish pop-up container yards throughout Georgia and North Carolina.
This will open up more dock spaces at Port of Savannah, the most popular container import port for agricultural products.
The administration estimates that the pop-up locations will be up and running within 30-40 days.
Supply-chain disruptions were bred by a myriad of causes, including the backup at warehouses and ports as well as a shortage of truckers, factories that are forced to shut due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the absence of shipping containers. These have caused shortages and higher costs for consumers.
They’re also a burden to the economy and making political trouble for the government.
President Joe Biden was scheduled to visit Port of Baltimore on Wednesday. He was expected to highlight the measures in a recently approved infrastructure bill that modernizes the supply chain with other components of the country’s infrastructure.
This $1.2-trillion package also includes the cost of $17 billion for coastal ports, inland ports, and waterways, as well as land ports that allow entry to the border.
While Biden hasn’t yet signed the bill into law, officials from the administration say they’re preparing to get the funds out in the coming months.
Billions of dollars are allotted for:
- Modernizing ports and marine highways.
- Repairing outdated infrastructure at coastal ports and inland waterways and deepening harbors for larger cargo ships.
- Upgrading obsolete inspection facilities at key ports to allow more efficient international trade through the northern and southern borders.
“It’s going to strengthen our supply chain by improving our ports, our airports, and our freight rail,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Monday.
This strategy by the Biden administration to alleviate supply chain congestion is a favorable step. Their efforts to collaborate with private sector companies and explore innovative technologies demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing the challenges in the supply chain.
It’s great to see the administration focusing on solutions. Remember, Teamwork makes the dream work. Working together with people and embracing new tech can definitely help lighten the load on the supply chain. Stay positive!