A YEAR OF CHANGE

If I can describe the coming year in a word, I think that word is “change”.  Change in service provider operating and equipment costs.  Change in the federal government and our domestic economy.  Change in global security and financial markets. In recognition of this year of change the Harbor Transportation Club has updated our logo. The re-designed “square image” represents the four corners of the globe and the green color represents industry initiatives towards a cleaner environment. 

With crude oil exceeding $100 per barrel, local and federal government clamoring for cleaner air, the demand for new, cleaner more fuel efficient heavy equipment vehicles will continue to rise. Unfortunately, the sagging economy and the direct effect this has on imports will challenge growth for all transportation providers in and around the ports as well as across the United States.

This year we will elect a new president, sign a new ILWU contract and possibly decide the employment (and union) status of 17,000 draymen in Southern California.  National and global security will continue to haunt us as the Department of Homeland Security continues to change regulations and an end to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq remain uncertain. Financial markets at home continue to fluctuate as the total impact of the real estate loan debacle is realized and world markets compress under the pressures of oil prices, economic instability and currency exchange fluctuations. 

Now that everyone is in an upbeat mood, I’m not going to tell you the Harbor Transportation Club is here to save the day (as much as I wish we could) but we will do following:

·         We will continue to keep our membership informed, through meetings and presentations of issues pertinent to our industry that we believe will most impact us all. 

·         We will support the Global Logistics Specialist Program at California State University Long Beach with scholarship, instructor and event sponsorship support.

·         And, just as important, we are going to have some “FUN’.

We have our installation dinner on the 22^nd of this month, with a new and exciting 1800’s theme; “Riverboat Gambling”, cruising the inner harbor in a replica Mississippi paddle wheeler with food, casino type gambling and a couple of great Grand Prizes.  Our annual golf tournament is coming, as usual, in May.  This year we have changed the venue to El Dorado Park Golf Course. Later in the year we have our annual harbor cruise and one or two new events all in the interest of having fun.

We all work hard in this business and often have to deal with changes that are completely out of our control, and still make it all work.  Let’s see if we can meet those changes head on and still have some fun in the process.

Sincerest regards,

David Tremblay