The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has published a four-year review outlining efforts to strengthen the nation’s transportation supply chains.
The review forms part of the White House’s 2021-2024 Quadrennial Supply Chain Review (QSCR), which assesses progress in enhancing supply chain resilience.
The review highlights changes to US supply chains since January 2021, when Covid-19-related disruptions and longstanding underinvestment impacted operations.
Under the direction of secretary Pete Buttigieg, the US DOT has worked to ease freight congestion, improve multimodal connectivity and upgrade transport infrastructure.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has contributed funding for port, rail, and highway improvements, along with expanded truck parking facilities.
According to the review, the establishment of the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy, also referred to as the Multimodal Freight Office, has supported supply chain efficiency.
The office’s Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) programme has facilitated data sharing between freight carriers, cargo owners, logistics providers, port operators and trade associations.
The programme’s membership has grown from zero in 2022 to 86 participants, which include 11 of the world’s largest ocean carriers, nine major US container ports and 10 prominent US importers.
Currently, FLOW tracks 75% of all US container imports and 80% of US container terminal capacity.
The review identifies areas for further improvement in supply chain resilience.
Key recommendations include increasing domestic production of port cranes to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, supporting domestic shipbuilding through tax incentives and workforce development, and boosting domestic production of electric vehicle (EV) components, particularly batteries.
It also calls for increased supplier diversity in aerospace manufacturing and enhanced data transparency through expanded use of the FLOW platform.
Finally, the report emphasises the role of public-private collaboration in creating a more resilient and adaptable transportation network.
Strategic investments, policy alignment and international partnerships are intended to support economic growth, enhance national security and position the USA to address future supply chain challenges.
