The pandemic has been hard on almost all sectors, where many global economies were headed towards a close recession. It was only after when lockdown restrictions eased worldwide that the economic situation began to improve.
One of the sectors that suffered a deadly blow was the shipping industry. Consumer demands dried worldwide and ports were the first to feel the crunch. With declining tonnage throughout 2020, compared to 2019 levels, the only ports that benefited were transshipment hubs like Panama, where ships had to stop over when the US declared a complete lockdown.
Ever since consumer demands began picking up to pre-pandemic levels before Christmas last year, the port sector has seen significant changes. Now, American ports, being backed by considerable investments are eying for the future. New container terminals are being built with private-sector partners, showing the way for construction companies worldwide.
Ports of California
A plan to launch a $24 million project has already been put into motion by port officials from Los Angeles. They include a pedestrian bridge, backed by the development of a 12-acre entry plaza. Spring of 2021 will see the completion of the bridge design.For hauling freight to and from the American hinterland, the railyard is being expanded. Five new rail tracks are already under construction, with three other tracks already receiving up-gradation.
Ports of Maine:
Maine has taken significant strides in adopting offshore wind farms. The governor himself called for the port to fund the transportation, assembling, and fabrication of offshore wind turbines. A host of other studies are also being funded in the related area.
Dredging on Searsport, the deep water seaport located at the confluence of the Penobscot River estuary and the Penobscot Bay is already in the pipeline.
Ports of Texas:
The port of Houston has a whole host of projects planned and approved that will significantly improve the port’s industrial property, waterways, roadways, rail infrastructure, and port facility. One of these plans concludes with the shipping channel being rebuilt.
Ports of Florida:
A beach town by nature, it’s only natural that Miami hosts some of the biggest cruise terminals on the planet. If that’s not enough, the Port of Miami will invest a whopping sum of $750 million for six new cruise terminals over the next five years.