Despite the double-digit drops in container volumes due to the recession, major US ports are still planning billions in new investments - and that's generally good news for shippers.

According to a report last week by real estate firm Jones Lang Lasalle, the top 13 US ports will invest more than$13 billion in their facilities over the next five years. Compare that to the estimated $45 billion in investment that has been made in total at US ports since 1945 (though inflation has to be considered in the comparisons).

Source: Jones Lang LaSalle

"With the increasing interdependence between global economies, the need for infrastructure improvements and the rapid  movement of goods will put pressure on US ports to secure long-term access to financing from both public and private sectors," the report notes.

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