Threats on the Horizon: How Can We Prepare for Tomorrow’s Supply Chain Crisis
On May 15, 2024, Chris Carney joined a panel to discuss “Threats on the Horizon: How Can We Prepare for Tomorrow’s Supply Chain Crisis” during the 2024 Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. This panel examined the various threats facing the supply chain industry and how these challenges underscore the need for federal funding.
The panelists began by exploring how the global supply chain landscape has evolved over the past decade and identifying primary vulnerabilities. Since there are more trucks, trains, planes and ships moving goods than ever before, there is a significantly higher probability for incidents to occur. They specifically pointed to the dangers of cyber-attacks, which would have damaging ripple effects across the supply chain.
The panel further discussed the need for marine terminals to balance investments in capacity-building projects and the safety of workers in order to accommodate increased cargo volumes. They explained that there has been a boom of warehousing and industrial space closer to major cities as consumers expect their goods to be delivered at unprecedented speeds, ultimately contributing to growing calls for the industry to implement decarbonization initiatives. To meet growing consumer demands and address supply chain vulnerabilities, panelists stressed the need for federal investment in major, complex projects that support resilient supply chains. Panelists mentioned investing in projects that separate freight and passenger rail, projects with multimodal connections, projects that plan for severe weather events and projects that reduce carbon footprints.
The Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC) was established to bring national attention to the need to significantly expand U.S. freight transportation capabilities and to work toward solutions for this growing national challenge. Their sole purpose is to raise public recognition and Congressional awareness of this need and to promote sufficient funding in federal legislation for trade corridors, gateways, intermodal connectors and freight facilities.
