Manufacturing in America Comes with More Sustainable Transportation Options

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40% of all seaborne imports to the United States come in via the Port of LA or the Port of Long Beach.[1] While ports are important to ship and receive goods, they can be dangerous to the environment and create long lasting effects on our oceans. Marine-imported products travel long distances to reach the U.S. and result in high levels of carbon emissions, varying levels of pollution, the disruption of marine life, and high fuel costs. Marine shipping is responsible for 2-3% of global greenhouse gas emissions and it is predicted to increase to 17% by 2050 if it is not taken care of.[2]

 

Bringing manufacturing back into the United States, can mitigate the environmental cost of marine-imports. The freight railroad system offers a solution by providing 140,000 route miles and over 167,000 jobs across the U.S. [3] Intermodal shipping is the process of shipping goods with more than one method. In the case of manufacturing and shipping within the U.S., trains and trucks are the answer. Rail transport is a reliable service that has lower fuel costs and burns less fuel than trucks. An intermodal train can carry the load of 250 trucks,[4] making it the reliable option for transporting goods long distances and using trucks to cover the short distances. Intermodal ground shipping is a more sustainable option for transporting goods across the United States.

Since American Fashion Network’s recent exit of China, the political climate continues to shift dramatically. More and more companies are racing to secure capacity in the US and Western Hemisphere when AFN has already done so. We are thrilled to have received the commitment to secure forward capacity and offer US, Mexico and Guatemala and all western hemisphere with the latest innovative fabrics in the western hemisphere including cutting-edge technology in cooling, wicking, moisture control, durability, and sustainability.