American Seaports--Changes Affecting Operations and Development

In coping with dramatic changes in maritime transportation and cargo-handling techniques, America's seaports have incurred large, long-term debts; and many ports anticipate additional large capital expenditures to accommodate trade increases. A continuation of current trends will require even greater changes--deeper shipping channels and harbors, extensive capital expenditures, and shifts in traditional patterns of cargo movement, with greater emphasis on a few main ports. Many ports are having difficulty obtaining funds from traditional sources for continued development, and the question of whether the Federal government should have a role in this development has been raised. Legislation to provide funding has been considered but not enacted. Options for Congress to consider when evaluating the Federal role in seaport development were reviewed.