Los Angeles Harbor News

The Port of Los Angeles has recognized the achievements of more than two dozen shipping lines and carriers for participating in the Port’s Vessel Speed Reduction Program (VSRP), an air quality and annual incentive program for vessel operators who reduce their speed as they approach or depart the port.The voluntary program is one of many sustainability efforts currently underway at the Port to reduce emissions and decarbonize operations.Emission reductions are achieved under the…

The Los Angeles Pilot Service has taken delivery of two new pilot boats equipped with full suites of quality Furuno marine electronics. The 56-foot Angels Pilot and Angels Navigator have been outfitted with complete integrated helm suites designed to assist in their mission of piloting ships in and out of Los Angeles Harbor, the busiest seaport in the western hemisphere. The pair of Camarc-designed boats were built by Vigor Industrial in Vancouver, Wash., and have made their way to their homeport in Los Angeles.The helm suites aboard the Angels Pilot and Angels Navigator feature a Furuno black box NavNet TZtouch2 TZT2BB multi function display connected to both 19” and 24” multi-touch displays, the MU195T and MU245T.

The following information was released by the Port of Los Angeles:Because our facilitation of a safe and secure supply chain is top priority at the Port of Los Angeles, the incident involving an export-bound shipping container that exploded inside a marine terminal storage area here on October 30 is of paramount concern to the Los Angeles Harbor Department and Los Angeles Port Police. Preliminary analysis by the Los Angeles Port Police Hazardous Materials Unit, Los Angeles Police…

Aggressively deploying zero and near-zero emission trucks and cargo-handling equipment and expanding programs that reduce ship emissions are among the core strategies the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are proposing for the next version of San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP). Proposals also focus on freight infrastructure investment, innovation and technology to improve supply chain efficiency, comprehensive energy planning, and increased advocacy for stricter emissions standards and government incentives to help pay for projects that advance testing and commercialization of zero and near-zero emission vehicles. The updated CAAP provides one of California’s first opportunities to implement the vision laid out in the State’s Sustainable Freight Action Plan.

The Port of Los Angeles has released an Initial Study/Notice of Preparation (IS/NOP) — the first step in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) process — for a Marine Oil Terminal Wharf Improvements Project at the Valero Terminal on Mormon Island in Los Angeles Harbor. The primary goal of the proposed project is to comply with the Marine Oil Terminal Engineering and Maintenance Standards (MOTEMS) to protect public health, safety, and the environment, which involves demolition of the existing 19,000-square-foot timber wharf at Berth 164 and construction and operation of a new, MOTEMS-compliant wharf, with minor infrastructure improvements to connect the new loading platform to the existing landside pipelines and utilities.

The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating a report of an oil spill in the Los Angeles Harbor, Thursday morning. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach command center received a report at 10:48 a.m. of an unknown quantity of oily-water mixture coming from a holding tank residing on the Vopak Terminal. Coast Guard investigators from Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach are currently investigating the report. A majority of the oil released has been reported as being contained on the pier, however, some of the oil water mixture entered the water. Oil spill response organizations including the National Response Corporation, Ocean Blue, and Patriot Environmental are conducting clean-up operations using oil skimmers and absorbent pads.

The Coast Guard and California Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response are continuing their investigation of an oil spill that occurred on Sunday in the Los Angeles Harbor. A unified command has been established that includes the Coast Guard, California Fish and Wildlife, and the responsible party. Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach command center received a report at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, of an unknown quantity of oil in the vicinity of the 577-foot cargo ship, Istra Ace. The ship was reported to have been leaking heavy fuel in the Cerritos channel at Berth 198. Oil was also observed throughout portions of Cerritos Channel, where booming strategies have been employed.

Findings from its 10th consecutive year of tracking air pollution show the Port of Los Angeles has set new records for cutting harmful emissions from port-related sources, with diesel particulate matter (DPM) down an unprecedented 85 percent and sulfur oxides (SOx) bordering on total elimination, having plummeted 97 percent since 2005. The data also shows the Port has surpassed its 2014 emission reduction goals set in 2010 for DPM, SOx and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Released today, the Port’s 2014 Inventory of Air Emissions reports NOx emissions are down 52 percent. The percentage fell slightly from the Port’s best year for NOx reduction – 57 percent in 2013 – largely due to congestion experienced at all West Coast ports during fall 2014.

Trade Connect, the Port of Los Angeles’ award-winning export education outreach program, formally debuted its new website, LATradeConnect.org, at today’s Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners Meeting. “Trade Connect plays a vital role in strengthening our nation’s economy by helping U.S. companies grow their business in the global marketplace,” said Ambassador Vilma Martinez, President of the Los Angeles Harbor Commission. Established in 2007, Trade Connect is a one-stop resource for small and midsize U.S. businesses looking to learn the nuts and bolts of exporting their made-in-America goods and services. The program offers a wide variety of beginning…

The Port of Los Angeles, Ports of Auckland in New Zealand and Guangzhou in China have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) a ground-breaking Tripartite Economic Alliance for promoting closer ties. “The port of Los Angeles looks forward to collaborating with the ports of Auckland and Guangzhou on a series of initiatives, including promoting commercial and business opportunities as well as sharing innovative best practices,” said ambassador Vilma Martinez, Los Angeles harbor commission president. Los Angeles, Guangzhou and Auckland are sister cities and strategic trading partners that share similar economic goals. The newly formed alliance provides a platform for growing trilateral cooperation to foster trade…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $5 million in grant funding for clean diesel projects at U.S. ports. The selected projects in California, Oregon, New Jersey and Texas will improve the air quality for people who live and work near the ports, and reduce emissions of the greenhouse gasses that lead to climate change, EPA said. “EPA and ports have a shared interest in working together to find practical solutions to reduce pollution for the benefit of workers and communities,” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said at a conference hosted by American Association of Ports Authorities, where she announced the grant recipients.

The Coast Guard is scheduled to participate in training exercises Thursday, in the vicinity of Los Angeles Harbor and Long Beach Harbor. Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) San Diego 91109 will partner with U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection, Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) as participants in the Center for Asymmetric Warfare exercise Coastal Trident 2014. The Pacific Strike Team (PST) and National Guard 9th Civil Support Team will practice first aid and decontamination capabilities. MSST San Diego was created under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 in direct response to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and is a part of the Department of Homeland Security’s layered strategy directed at protecting seaports and waterways.

The Los Angeles City Council apprises that it has unanimously confirmed veteran shipping industry leader Gene Seroka as the new Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles. Earlier in June, the Harbor Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to approve Seroka for the executive director’s position. Mayor Garcetti’s May 27 announcement that he had chosen Seroka for the job concluded a global search to fill the Port’s top management post. As the Port’s Executive Director, Seroka will be responsible for managing a US$938.8-million budget, advancing major capital projects, growing trade volumes and promoting innovation and sustainable practices that strengthen the region’s economy.

Florentijn Hofman’s Rubber Duck Project will make its U.S. West Coast debut at Tall Ships Festival L.A., August 20, 2014, sailing into the Port of Los Angeles Harbor leading the Tall Ships Grand Parade of Sail. The Port of Los Angeles is the first U.S. West Coast port to host the globally famous rubber duck and only the second North American city to do so. The Duck Project is the creative effort of internationally renowned artist Florentijn Hofman (The Netherlands). “The rubber duck knows no frontiers, it doesn't discriminate people and doesn't have a political connotation.

The Los Angeles Harbor Commission approved a resolution initiating an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) on a proposed berth-improvement project by Yusen Terminals Inc. (YTI). Start of the EIR process is the first step in YTl’s proposed plan to deepen and improve its terminal facilities, allowing the terminal operator to accommodate next-generation vessels and increase cargo volume at its site. “Terminal modernization and improvements such as those proposed by Yusen Terminals Inc. are key to the Port of Los Angeles’ long-term global competitiveness and success,” said Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D.

She will supervise the City Attorney’s Port operations & serve as in-house counsel to Port management and the Los Angeles Harbor Commission. Janna Sidley replaces Tom Russell, who retired from the position last year. “Janna will lead a talented legal team already in place at the Port, providing strong leadership and experience in her new role,” said Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich. Sidley joined the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office in 2003 and has worked as a trial deputy specializing in workers' compensation fraud and unfair business practices.

The Los Angeles Harbor Commission certified the final Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) intermodal railyard and approved a landmark rail infrastructure project that would increase the efficiency and competitiveness of moving containerized cargo through the nation’s busiest harbor complex to U.S. and global markets. “Modernizing our transportation infrastructure is crucial to creating jobs, strengthening our economy and improving our quality of life in Los Angeles,” said Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino.

The Port of Los Angeles’ Trade Connect program has earned the nation’s highest honor for promoting American export trade. The Port was among the 2013 honorees recognized for export sales or service during an “E” Award ceremony at the U.S Department of Commerce headquarters in Washington, D.C. “I am delighted to be recognizing this year’s Presidential ‘E’ Award winners for their outstanding contributions to U.S. exports and congratulate the Port of Los Angles on its outstanding export achievement,” said U.S. Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank, who presented the award.

Port of Los Angeles officials announced the development of its Energy Management Action Plan (E-MAP) initiative designed to improve energy efficiency at America’s busiest container port. Included in the plan will be the nation’s largest port energy assessment. The E-MAP, unveiled during an energy workshop with representatives of the Port, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), marine terminal operators and others, will serve as the Port’s blueprint to identify…

The Harbor Commissioner's Fiscal 2013-14 Budget Includes $399.9-million capital expenditure to improve cargo flow and dfficiency. The Los Angeles Harbor Commission has adopted a 2013-14 fiscal year (FY) budget of approximately $1.1 billion for the Port of Los Angeles, including one of the largest annual Capital Improvement Programs -- $399.9 million or 37% of the total budget -- in Port history. The budget supports more than 8,500 jobs, 6,870 of which are attributable to construction project spending in the coming fiscal year which begins July 1.

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a 50-year lease to transform  a 100-year-old pier on the L.A. Waterfront in San Pedro into a world-class urban marine research and innovation center called AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles. The lease agreement – signed between the Port of Los Angeles and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, the latter who currently serves as the fiscal sponsor for the AltaSea project – involves approximately 35 acres of land and water at the Port’s City Dock No. 1 site, Berths 56-60 and Berths 70-71. “Public-private partnerships like AltaSea represent an innovative way to encourage investment and redevelopment in our communities,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Historic battleship being restored, now interactive naval museum at Port of Los Angeles. The exterior of the historic battleship USS Iowa has been repainted using PSX(R) ONE coating, a one-component acrylic-siloxane coating introduced last year by PPG Industries’ (NYSE:PPG) protective and marine coatings business (PMC). The ship, which was originally commissioned in 1943 and served in the Atlantic and Pacific fleets during World War II, opened July 7 as an interactive naval museum at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, Calif.

Environmental and Project Approvals Advance Visionary Concept. The Los Angeles Harbor Commission today certified the final Environmental Impact Report for the proposed redevelopment of City Dock No. 1 and approved the framework for bringing a world-class marine research center to the LA Waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles. The action sets the stage for creation of a state-of-the-art waterfront research institute where leading scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs can collaborate on solutions to today’s marine, environmental and maritime industry challenges.