Coronavirus prompts US ports to seek US$6.5bn

The group are asking for grants and direct assistance in the wake of a steep decline in port and cruise line traffic as a result of the advance of COVID-19, according to a letter to congressional leaders seen by Reuters.

The group seeks US$1bn in port grants, US$1 billion in direct assistance and US$4.5bn for federal navigation channel improvement and maintenance projects.

On 28 February, the AAPA issued a statement that said: “The overall economic impact of this type of crisis can easily run into the tens of billions of dollars. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, cargo volumes at many U.S. ports during the first quarter of 2020 may be down by 20 percent or more compared to 2019.”