By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Long Beach is teaming up with stakeholders and the medical suppliers to help fast-track the shipments of medical gowns, gloves and other essential health equipment made in Asia that are key to battling the COVID-19 crisis.
The vital goods are being guided through several Long Beach marine terminals and placed in special staging areas for truckers to quickly deliver to regional distribution centers.
“It’s encouraging that in these challenging times, when port staff members reached out to our stakeholders about expediting medical supply shipments, they found a great deal of willingness to quickly band together and ensure rapid and early delivery,” said Port Executive Director Mario Cordero. The port Business Development team has been coordinating with Ohio-based Cardinal Health to bring these goods to Long Beach.
“It’s great to see this come together as we all move quickly to prioritize getting products where they are needed in this uncertain time,” said Patrick Halloran, director of Global Trade Logistics for Cardinal Health.