Projects aimed at expanding capacity and modernizing ports are creating transformative change for critical infrastructure and huge investment opportunities for private capital.

Although U.S. trade policy is producing near-term turbulence and uncertainty on potential shifts in supply chains and cross-border trade patterns, investors remain keenly focused on the longer-term investment horizon.

“The universe of infrastructure funds, pension funds and sovereign wealth funds are active and eager to deploy capital in this space for a variety of reasons — including long-term, predictable cash flows,” says Robert da Silva Ashley, a global finance partner at DLA Piper. “Despite what’s going on in the news, global trade is not going anywhere, and we are seeing a competitive landscape for the most attractive assets.”

Ports are important conduits for the global economy, as shipping for large-volume transportation is by far the most efficient mode of transportati