[viraptor]

Only if the automation is cheaper and more efficient and that improvement/saving gets passed on to the (un)loading fees and then to the companies doing the transport and then to the marketplace middlemen and then then to the buyers/sellers.

[seymore_12]

In my opinion, port costs never go down with automation. If anything, they go up when automation is deployed (this essentially means unmanned reach stackers, more cranes and eventually new TOS (Terminal Operating System) to compensate investment. This is interesting document (PDF) with port performance index for 2023. Page 11. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/0990603241145396...

[Aerroon]

The port costs might not go down now, but they also might increase as much as they would otherwise in the future.

[wskinner]

It is, and it does. US ports are far less efficient than the more automated ports in Asia and Europe.

[Yeul]

Ah but that's because Rotterdam competes with Antwerp and Hamburg for example.

How many terminals are there on the West coast of the US that can handle the biggest vessels?

[gamblor956]

Two, and they both make heavy use of automation. (The port of LA and the neighboring port of Long Beach).

[viraptor]

It's not clear the automation change in isolation would improve the situation. They can get automated badly and be even less efficient.