; tons or 12.7 percent. The North intic, Gulf and Great Lakes regions 1ost 4.8 million long tons and the Pacific ports increased their output by 2.0 million tons.

North Atlantic. Between 1970 and 1977 the North Atlantic ports lost nearly 20 percent of their total export liner cargo. This was a loss of 1.6 million long tons. The greatest loser was New York City which found its share of the total export pie reduced from 14.4 percent to 3.2 percent. With the exception of Newport News the other ports retained or slightly increased their share of the traffic. Most of New York City's loss was probably to the western or to the Canadian ports with a small amount southward.

South Atlantic. The South Atlantic ports increased their share by 22 percent. Total liner exports increased from 2.118,000 long tons to 2.586.000 long tons, an increase of 408,000 long tons. This increase could have been due almost entirely to the growth of industries in the South Central and South Atlantic states with a small amount diverted from the more northern ports.

Gulf Ports. The Gulf ports suffered the greatest loss of any region. Their liner exports in 1970 of 8,653,000 long tons dropped to 5.915.000 long tons in 1977, a loss of 2,741,000 long tons or 31.6 percent. By far the greatest part of this loss is believed to have resulted from the diversion of manufactured cargo from the Heartland to the West Coast. The loss was also caused by the failure of the Gulf ports to provide adequate cranes and equip. ment for the increased use of van size containers. Also, a lack of promotional effort, on the level of the West Coast and Canadian ports and railroads, contributed to the scale of the loss.

South Pacific. The South Pacific ports had the greatest increase in liner exports. Their liner exports increased from 2,844,000 long tons in 1970 to 4,282.000 long tons in 1977, an increase of 1,438,000 long tons or 50 percent. Although there was some increase in local manufactures during this period, the greatest part of the increased trade is believed to have come from the North Central states.

North Pacific. The North Pacific ports had the same percentage of increase in liner exports from 1970 to 1977 as the

12

Region

Region Port

NORTH ATLANTIC

SOUTH ATLANTIC Wilmington, N.C.

Jacksonville

Miami San Juan

GULF PORTS Tampa Mobile

SOUTH PACIFIC San Diego

Percent of Total

South Pacific ports. Their 1970 liner exports increased from 991,000 to 1,483,000 long tons in 1977, an increase of 492.000 long tons or 50 per cent. Practically all of this increase is believed to have come from the North Central states, traffic which formerly went south or east or through Great Lakes ports.

Changes in imports

The regional changes in the volume of imports of liner cargo from 1970 to 1977 are summarized in Table II. This table is based upon the tonnage from the various major ports shown in Table IV. Total liner imports remained about the same during this period. However, there was a considerable change in the share of the various regions. This change, for the most part, followed the pattern for exports. North Atlantic. Between 1970 and 1977 the North Atlantic ports lost 10 percent of their import liner cargo. Imports declined from 9,818,000 long tons to 8,808,000 long tons, a loss of 1,010,000 long tons. New York City declined by 10 percent but Phila delphia dropped to one half of its 1970 rate. Baltimore and Norfolk managed to increase their import liner cargo slightly.

South Atlantic. During this period, the South Atlantic ports increased their liner imports by 8.6 percent, increasing from 1,803,000 long tons in 1970 to 1,958,000 long tons in 1977. Charleston, Savannah and Miami increased their imports while Jacksonville and San Juan fell behind. This increase for the region was in line with the growth of income for the region for the period.

Gulf Ports. The Gulf ports had only a small loss in imports, about 4 percent. compared to its loss of exports for the period of 31.6 percent. Perhaps this was due to the fact that in 1970, imports were only 35 percent of the level of its exports so there was less to lose. This may also be due to the possibility that imports for the North Central area historically came through North Atlantic or Great Lakes ports. Hence the diversion of traffic would have been more to Canadian and Pacific ports.

South Pacific. Liner imports through South Pacific ports increased nearly 1.5 million long tons, from 2,847,000 long tons to 4,342.000 long tons for an increase of 52.5 percent. As total continued on 49

Region

Port

Percent of

Percent of

1970

Total 1974 Total

1977

of Total

NORTH ATLANTIC

Boston

505

2.4

New York City

6.350

30.2

340 1.5 6.392 28.5

270 5,740

1.3 27.0

Philadelphia

1.203

NOTE:

PANAMA CANAL SHIPMENTS DEFINED AS ALL CARGOS IN 1976 LOADED & DISCHARGED ON WEST COASTS OF MEXICO, CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA, FAR EAST, AUSTRALIA, & OCEANIA