After over a year of trade tariffs between the U.S. and China, things were finally looking up. Then, the coronavirus pandemic took the wind out of the port’s sails, again.
“The pandemic has really been a challenge for every business around the world,” said Bonnie Lowenthal, chair of the Board of Harbor Commissioners, who is just finishing up her first year leading the commission.
Despite the uncertainty, Lowenthal said she’s optimistic. “I think that we at the port are very fortunate, at the Port of Long Beach, to have systems in place that ensure a solid business recovery plan.”
Part of that recovery plan will be the continued investment in large infrastructure projects, of which the port has plenty. From the Gerald Desmond Bridge replacement to the construction of a massive on-dock rail yard, the Port of Long Beach is undertaking massive capital improvement projects that are in various stages of completion.
To continue with costly capital improvement projects in a time of financial uncertainty may seem counterintuitive, but according to port leadership, it’s what will save the port in the long run.