The American Association of Port Authorities says that its entire membership in North, South and Central America and the Caribbean will celebrate Western Hemisphere Ports Day on Tuesday, April 4 in recognition of the industry's role in supporting job creation and propelling the economies of the nations they serve across the Americas.
"As the unified and recognized voice of the port industry in the Western Hemisphere, AAPA is excited to continue to share its story around the globe," AAPA's president and CEO, Kurt Nagle, said in a statement.
"Ports Day is part of an ongoing commitment to remind our policymakers, policy influencers and the public about the important role ports play in facilitating the movement of trade and linking their nations to the global economy," Nagle said.
Combined international sea trade moving through Western Hemisphere ports in 2015 totaled 3.45 billion metric tons in volume and $3.36 trillion in value, according to IHS Inc. World Trade Service. Of that total, North American ports handled 1.76 billion metric tons of goods, valued at $2.21 trillion, while ports in Central and South America handled 1.69 billion metric tons of cargo, valued at $1.15 trillion.
A report by Martin Associates on the national economic impact of the US coastal port system, found that in the U.S. alone, ports' contribution to the national economy reached nearly $4.6 trillion in 2014.
"We're proud to recognize the contributions of our member ports as we celebrate Western Hemisphere Ports Day," he added. "In support of workers, farmers, employers, manufacturers and consumers everywhere, our ports are united in planning for the future, creating jobs and propelling the economy." More information about Western Hemisphere Ports Day is available at www.aapa-ports.org.