SEATTLE—Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, US seaports experienced a robust year in 2019 with increased 20-foot equivalent unit/TEU counts for both inbound and outbound traffic as well as minimal labor disputes, according to a recent Industrial US Seaport Outlook by Colliers International. But, in January 2020, the US signed a trade deal with China that imposed increased tariffs of as much as 25% on Chinese-made goods, prompting US importers to increase sourcing in locations such as Southeast Asia. Still, overall trade volume increased.

Then COVID-19 posed unprecedented challenges. The pandemic caused an economic stir, reducing consumer demand on certain items and resulting in decreased TEU volumes.

During these unprecedented times, as consumer behaviors and lifestyles were altered and companies adjusted supply chain strategies, US seaports also had to adapt to the changing landscape. The need to accommodate larger cargo vessels has forced ports across the board to adapt with capital improvement projects underway or recently completed at nearly all locations to better service larger vessels. Plans to modernize infrastructure and improve functionality remain necessary for more efficient operations with dredging and infrastructure construction projects underway. Eastern ports are ramping up draught capacity to allow for larger container vessels, while bridge and other infrastructure projects are ongoing on the West Coast.