Pre-engineered Metal Buildings—the Key to Smart, Sustainable Port Construction
America’s ports represent the heart of our nation’s commerce with the world, so it’s no surprise that they continue to grow, regardless of the temporary ups and downs of the economy.
- Most people are familiar with the major coastal ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, New Jersey, and New York. But these represent only a small fraction of the commercial activity handled by U.S. ports. And they aren’t always even the busiest: in recent years, the Port of Houston, Texas has been the largest port in terms of tonnage, followed by the ports of South Louisiana and Corpus Cristi, Texas.
- Other less well-known ports also handle huge volumes of business: Beaumont, Texas; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Port of Virginia; Mobile, Alabama; Port Arthur, Texas, and many more.
- The country’s inland ports are also important contributors to the flow of goods. North America is blessed with an exceptional system of rivers, augmented by the Great Lakes, making the transport of goods by water convenient and cost-effective. Important inland ports include Savannah, Georgia; Duluth-Superior in Minnesota; New Bourbon Port Authority, Missouri; Illinois International Port, along with others.
PEMB and Port Expansion
Pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMB) are uniquely suited to meet the needs of port expansion. Their many distinctive qualities make them an ideal vehicle for accommodating the relentless growth that has made our ports such engines of economic vitality.
Along with quays, wharves, and berths, ports need terminal buildings, maintenance facilities, security checkpoints, crane operator cabins, customs clearance areas, repair workshops, and office space—all of which can be housed in PEMBs. But above all, ports need warehouse and storage space–lots of it. Ships must be able to unload their cargo quickly and depart, making room for other ships. That means they must have ample warehouse space nearby. Again, PEMBs meet the need.
The importance of having efficient systems in place at our nation’s ports was illustrated vividly during the supply chain crisis that followed the recent covid pandemic. Companies across the United States experienced an unexpected surge in demand and struggled to meet it. One of the problems was that so much merchandise was coming into the country, and it couldn’t be unloaded fast enough. Americans were shocked to see photos of ships lined up for miles outside the nation’s ports, waiting for dock space.
Against this backdrop, PEMBs offer a natural solution for the problems of growth. Here are some of the features that make PEMBs popular for port construction projects:
- PEMBs are significantly less expensive to build than conventional structures.
- PEMBs can be fabricated and erected with amazing speed. That makes them a good fit for fast-growing port facilities.
- Most of the construction work on PEMBs takes place in controlled factory settings. That ensures precision and uniformity while reducing onsite waste and damage to nearby ecosystems.
- PEMBs are made of tough, durable steel and other strong materials. They can withstand harsh coastal conditions, minimizing the need for frequent repairs and replacements, which benefits the environment.
- These buildings can be customized with docks and storage spaces for automation and robotics, helping streamline logistics and improve operational efficiency.
- The clear span design of PEMBs offers large open spaces, ideal for storing containers, ships, cranes, heavy equipment, and other big items.
- PEMBs are compatible with smart technology, allowing for the integration of IoT sensors and automation tools essential in modern ports.
The Future of Port Construction
PEMBs already account for 71 percent of the market in commercial construction, representing more than $12 billion in economic activity. The PEMB market is projected to grow by 8.4 percent from 2024 to 2030. A large percentage of that new construction will likely take place in the nation’s ports. In 2018, U.S. coastal ports generated about 5.4 trillion in economic activity—representing 26 percent of the nation’s GDP.
Amid expectations of a slower economy generally, activity at the nation’s ports is expected to grow by 2 percent in 2025. Factors that could affect that forecast include the tariffs being proposed by the Trump administration, labor issues, cybersecurity threats, and unpredictable world events. But even then, the ever-popular cruise industry provides a buffer against any possible slowdowns: cruise bookings through 2026 are already strong and prices are rising.
Whatever the coming years bring, pre-engineered metal buildings will continue to serve an important and valuable purpose at our nation’s ports.
