Obstreperous

By John McLaurin, President, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association

International trade economist Jock O’Connell, who provides commentary for this newsletter, used the word "obstreperous" in a recent paper which reviewed the erosion of West Coast market share that has taken place for a number of years.

There were several reactions to Jock’s use of the word "obstreperous." First, apparently a lot of people had to reach for a dictionary to look it up. Fortunately for them, this time Jock simply used a word not frequently used as opposed to his custom of using obscure Latin phrases (making full use of seven years of a Jesuit education) that only he and Latin scholars understand or appreciate.

Second, some on the waterfront took offense to the word. Instead of taking offense, perhaps people should have been alarmed about the long-term decline in market share, one that shows a structural shift in the movement of cargo away from West Coast ports.

Loss of West Coast market share is due to many factors. There are many reasons, many players, and many policies which have contributed to the decline. To reverse this trend, the challenge for all of us that use and work at West Coast ports, or who develop public policy, is to recognize the challenge, acknowledge the past, and move forward to work in unison to reverse the trend.

All of us on the waterfront need to work together. Inability or unwillingness to do so will ensure that the decline will continue.