With 11 major ports tied to over 5 million jobs, California’s ports serve as the gateway to the global economy and a major driver of our state’s economic wellbeing. Due to the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 crisis, ports up and down the coast of California are projecting drastic financial shortfalls. Every major revenue category for the ports are anticipated to fall as a result of the pandemic, resulting in major losses in operating revenues.
Adjusting to the “New Normal”
Safety Remains Top Priority: As our state continues to address the spread of the coronavirus, the health and safety of surrounding communities and workers throughout the supply chain is our top priority. Ports have secured personal protective (PPE) equipment for workers who continue to drive the day-to-day operations of the supply chain. We continue to provide handwashing stations, gloves, and sanitizers to our essential workforce on dock, encouraging social distancing.
California Is Relying on Ports During COVID-19 Crisis: Our ports serve as an economic engine and bear a responsibility to maintain fluid operations in order to minimize supply chain disruption and associated negative economic impacts. Protecting the waterfront workforce is a priority but dramatically diminished revenues challenge Ports’ ability to mitigate those impacts.
California Ports Have Met the Moment
Across our state, California Ports have met this moment and have helped lead by example, stepping up to play a critical role in our state’s response and recovery to the COVID-19 crisis.
Notably, at the start of the crisis, the Port of Oakland supported an operation to screen and process over 2,000 Grand Princess Cruise Ship passengers after several tested positive for COVID-19 while at sea. At the Port of Los Angeles, the USNS Mercy was deployed to serve as a referral hospital for patients not infected with COVID-19, which allowed local hospitals to focus on the treatment of coronavirus patients. Additionally, in San Francisco, the Port partnered with the City to support vital testing facilities for critical first responders and health care workers who are essential to the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout our state, California Ports have answered the call to support our local communities. In doing so, our Ports have played a vital role in helping our state address this unprecedented crisis.