b'36American Journal ofTransportation ajot.com(INVESTcontinued from page 32) Top 10 US Ports for Reefer Exportscargo is well-positioned to support that growth, especially as populations age and healthcare access expands in emerging markets.AJOT:Do you see the transport of perishable food products via air freightAbsoluteAbsolute increasing? Rank US PortsQ1 2025 Q1 2024 Change Change %Fried: We do, particularly with rising consumer demand for fresh, premium,1 OAKLAND,CA 71,704 69,988 1,716 2.45%andexoticproductsdeliveredquickly.Thekeywillbebalancingcostand2 LOS ANGELES,CA 28,758 32,510 -3,752 -11.54%sustainability with speed and freshness, which will further push innovation in cold chain logistics. 3 TACOMA,WA 23,302 26,033 -2,731 -10.49%AJOT:In early March, you stated 62% of AfA members are highly con- 4 LONG BEACH,CA 22,943 20,312 2,631 12.95%cerned about impending U.S. tariffs and the subsequent falloutWhat is the feeling among the membership three months later? 5 HOUSTON,TX 19,487 15,035 4,452 29.61%Fried:Webelievethelevelofconcernremainsconsistent,astrade6 SAVANNAH,GA 19,265 21,093 -1,829 -8.67%uncertainty continues to weigh on business planning. That said, well be surveying7 SEATTLE,WA 17,110 12,344 4,766 38.61%our members again next week to get an updated snapshot of their sentiment, particularly as election-year dynamics evolve. 8 NORFOLK,VA 14,661 14,252 409 2.87%AJOT:In addition to air forwarders, AfAs membership includes truckers,9 NEW YORK/NEWARK AREA, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 11,643 9,760 1,883 19.29%airlines,warehouseoperators,etcInthecurrentenvironment,howistheir10 PORT EVERGLADES,FL 11,317 6,235 5,083 81.53%expertise being put to the test?Fried: Our members are constantly adapting. From implementing advancedTotal 291,611 276,388 15,223 5.51%trackingsystemstooptimizingmulti-modallogistics,theyreworkingharder than ever to ensure reliability despite global disruptions. Collaboration across the supply chain has become essential, and our members deep expertise allows them to pivot quickly when conditions change. Top 10 US Ports for Reefer ImportsAJOT: Is there a level of frustration?Fried: Yes, theres certainly a degree of frustrationespecially when policy shifts happen quickly or with limited consultation. The pace of regulatory change,AbsoluteAbsolute rising compliance burdens, and capacity imbalances all create headwinds. ButRank US Ports of Arrival Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Change Change %theres also determination, and our members continue to rise to the challenge. 1 PHILADELPHIA,PA 98,723 78,587 20,136 25.62%AJOT: Is the logistics/transportation sectors message being heard in Wash- 2 NEW YORK/NEWARK AREA, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 57,983 59,254 -1,271 -2.15%ington?Fried:Weremakingprogress.Throughongoingdialoguewithfederal3 WILMINGTON,DE 44,385 48,869 -4,484 -9.18%agencies and lawmakers, were working to ensure the voice of forwarders and4 PORT EVERGLADES,FL 38,143 32,194 5,949 18.48%supply chain professionals is not only heard but respected. We are especially5 LOS ANGELES,CA 34,354 30,930 3,424 11.07%encouraged by this mornings call for applicants to serve on the Transportation Security Administrations Aviation Security Advisory Committee. The group has6 PORT HUENEME,CA 33,296 29,995 3,301 11.00%not met since last year and serves an essential role in providing safety policy7 MIAMI,FL 28,155 24,858 3,297 13.26%insight and feedback to the TSA. That said, we must remain persistentespecially on issues like regulatory reform and infrastructure investment. 8 FREEPORT,TX (5311) 23,323 10,883 12,440 114.30%AJOT: Is there anything else you would like to add? 9 SAN DIEGO,CA 18,306 18,404 -98 -0.53%Fried:Only that the air cargo industry remains incredibly resilient. Whether10 LONG BEACH,CA 17,192 9,703 7,489 77.19%navigatingglobaldisruptions,adoptingnewtechnologies,orrespondingto customer needs, our members are proving once again why they are essential toTotal 537,948 472,331 65,617 13.89%the global economy. The Airforwarders Association is proud to represent such a dynamic and forward-looking community.Where Global TradeMeets Local Strength#ChooseOakland'