The COVID-19 pandemic and other disasters, both natural and man-made, have made clear the need for a resilient global supply chain. The global supply chain is the world’s circulatory system and determines the overall economic health of nations and the world — future prosperity depends upon the efficient flow of freight. To address the latest developments and vulnerabilities in the international freight system, the Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies and Port Houston co-hosted the first Houston Global Freight Summit. The event was held virtually across two days and featured over a dozen speakers — including key executives of ports, shippers, ocean carriers, railroads, trucking firms and fuel suppliers. Experts in resilience, transportation policy and the environment also described their research, giving special attention to infrastructure improvements.
The first day of the summit focused on what is needed for a robust rebound from the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. Speakers also considered how to make the global supply chain more resilient — what are the weak links that must be strengthened?
For a detailed agenda, please scroll down. Click here for information and the video for day two.
The Global Freight Summit was organized by Ed Emmett, Baker Institute fellow in energy and transportation policy, and was co-sponsored by the Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies and Port Houston. Follow @CES_Baker_Inst on Twitter, and join the conversation online with #BakerFreight.
To view the entire day, please click below:
Agenda — Day 1
9:00 am |
WelcomeEd Emmett |
9:15 am |
Panel I: The Post-COVID Freight NetworkModerated by: Ed Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute Sherry Harriman |
10:15 am |
Panel II: Technology for Resilience and EfficiencyModerated by: Ed Emmett, Fellow in Energy and Transportation Policy, Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute Stephen Flynn, Ph.D. |
11:15 am |
Armchair Discussion: Moving Freight Requires InfrastructureThe Honorable Brian Babin |
11:45 am |
Closing RemarksEd Emmett |