Los Angeles logistics chief fast-tracking medical supplies distribution and production

At the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Weston LaBar, president of the Harbor Trucking Association says that there have been no reported COVID-19 cases among drivers and that marine terminals and trucking companies have been working together to source protective gear and sanitary supplies for drivers.

The United States is facing an unprecedented demand-side crisis as a result of the Coronavirus shutting down major sectors of the economy crippling prospects for recovery, increasing dislocations for trucking and more downturns at ports, warehouses and distribution centers, according to Jock O’Connell, an economist with the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) and Beacon Economics.

Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero says: “We are coping with an unpredicted crisis caused by COVID-19 virus and the threats it poses to the supply chain.”

Carnival Corporation has offered up to 15 cruise ships to be deployed as possible hospital ships for non-Coronavirus – COVID-19 - hospital patients, according to Roger Frizzell, Carnival’s chief communications officer, based in Miami.

In a press conference, today, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka gave a wide-ranging report addressing contamination threats to workers from the Coronavirus and working with maritime partners to keep the Port operational in response to supply chain disruptions in China and the United States.

Advanced freight rates platform aims to become the new industry standard.

Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Drsicoll says that exports and imports with Asia are on the rise - last week, 9 vessels arrived at the Port “within two days,” indicating that “trade with China is ramping back up.”

A group of Northern California freight forwarders, customs brokers, stevedores and U.S. Customs officials are working together with truckers, longshore labor and Port of Oakland officials to expedite import containers reaching end users, especially those that contain medical supplies and other important products during the Coronavirus emergency.

The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA), Schnitzer Steel Industries, the Harbor Trucking Association, and the California Trucking Association filed a suit in response to the latest submission by the Oakland A's proposed stadium and condominium complex at the Port of Oakland’s Howard Terminal.