Middle Harbor News

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced more than $703 million to fund 41 projects in 22 states and one territory that designed to help improve port facilities through the Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program. Following is the full list of FY 2022 Port Infrastructure Development Grant Awards:ALASKANorth Extension Stabilization Step 1 Project ($68,700,000), Anchorage, AlaskaThe Project will reconfigure and realign the shoreline within the “North Extension” (the area north of the existing general cargo terminals) at the Port of Alaska in Anchorage, Alaska.

The Port of Long Beach announced it has completed a new container terminal, which it ranks as one of the world's most technologically advanced cargo facilitiesThe Long Beach Container Terminal at Middle Harbor is equipped with nearly all electric and zero-emissions equipment designed to improve cargo flow and dramatically enhance air quality amid an era of significant growth at the nation’s second-busiest seaport.“As the world’s first all-electric, zero-emission mega terminal…

The largest container terminal in America, Long Beach Container Terminal Inc (LBCT) has officially developed “Application Programming Interfaces” (APIs) to improve upon the Terminal’s ease of doing business with the truck drayage community at large.LBCT is the first Marine Terminal Operator (MTO) at either the Port of Los Angeles or Long Beach to provide an API solution as a modern interface for trucking companies to integrate with their terminal operator partners, said LBCT President Anthony Otto.According to a press release, this new platform allows for the efficient and even flow of data between trucking companies and the MTOs, which…

Orient Overseas International (OOI) has announced a profit attributable to equity holders for 2017 of US$137.7 million, compared to a loss of US$219.2 million in 2016. Earnings per ordinary share in 2017 was US22.0 cents, whereas loss per ordinary share in 2016 was US35.0 cents. The Chairman of OOIL, C C Tung, said, “The economic backdrop for 2017 was more robust than forecasters had expected. Following a decade of low growth, we saw healthier performance in both GDP and trade volumes across most of the world’s major economies. “This synchronicity of growth, a rare phenomenon in recent memory, may bode well for the sustainability of the recovery,” noted Tung. “However, growth on the supply side continues across the trade lanes.

Orient Overseas International (OOIL) said it reported a profit attributable to equity holders of US$138 million for the year ended 31 December 2017, as compared to the loss of US$219 million for the previous financial year. Earnings per ordinary share in 2017 was US22.0 cents, whereas loss per ordinary share in 2016 was US35.0 cents. The Chairman of OOIL, C C Tung, said, “The economic backdrop for 2017 was more robust than forecasters had expected. Following a decade of low growth, we saw healthier performance in both GDP and trade volumes across most of the world’s major economies. “This synchronicity of growth, a rare phenomenon in recent memory, may bode well for the sustainability of the recovery,” noted Tung. “However, growth on the supply side continues across the trade lanes.

Orient Overseas International (OOIL) and its container unit OOCL have a good track record for above-average profits in a challenging market and a reputation for being a very well-run company, earning the moniker “The Perfect Bride” by Drewry Maritime Financial Research. Retaining the management team, processes and systems is a wise move and could be of enormous value to Cosco Shipping Holdings (Cosco), Drewry said. OOCL has an owned-fleet of 66 containerships aggregating approximately 440,000 teu. It is a young and modern fleet with an average age of 7.1 years and average nominal capacity of 6,600 teu. It is introducing its first 21,000 teu vessel with five more to deliver and options for another six which it could easily exercise.

The Port of Long Beach and Long Beach Container Terminal have received a Clean Air Award for working to reduce pollution in Southern California with the Middle Harbor redevelopment project. Given by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the award in the category of Business Leadership in Air Quality Achievement is for outstanding effort to advance effective solutions to the problem of poor air quality in the region. It was presented today at the SCAQMD’s 28th annual Clean Air Awards luncheon in Riverside. “We’re building the Green Port of the Future, and Middle Harbor is a big part of that,” said Harbor Commission President Lori Ann Guzmán. “The terminal is the world’s greenest and most sustainable.

Port of Long Beach CEO Jon Slangerup announced his resignation, effective October 28, 2016. Slangerup will step down as head of the nation’s second largest port to take a position as Chairman and CEO of an aviation technology company effective October 31, 2016. Soon after joining the port in June of 2014, Slangerup helped address the major congestion challenge that affected the San Pedro Bay port complex and the national goods movement network. He worked with local, regional and federal stakeholders  to restore operations in less than half the time expected.

Fitch Ratings, one of the top three U.S. credit analysis agencies, has affirmed the Port of Long Beach’s “AA” rating on its outstanding debt. Fitch stated the AA rating — its highest for U.S. ports — was warranted due to the Port’s strong market position, resilient, long-term revenues from Port tenants, and the Port’s robust ability to service its debt. The rating agency reported that the Port’s $3.2 billion capital improvement program through fiscal year 2026 ensures a competitive position in the future. “Strong financial metrics” and “considerable liquidity” are expected throughout the plan’s duration. The agency affirmed the AA rating for $867.6 million in outstanding bonds and a “AA-” rating on an existing…

Four structures at the Port of Long Beach’s newest marine terminal recently earned the coveted “gold” status in the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, which encourages the use of Earth-friendly features that save energy, conserve water and use recycled materials. Located at Long Beach Container Terminal’s new Pier E facility at Middle Harbor, the four buildings function as administrative offices and meeting space, an information technology center, and maintenance and operations structures. They range in size from 10,000 square feet to 50,000 square feet and were completed last year in preparation for this spring’s opening of the new terminal. The LEED awards are for the first phase of the new terminal.

The largest containership ever to dock at a North American seaport has returned to Southern California. The Benjamin Franklin will officially enter service for the first time on Friday in Long Beach following an inauguration ceremony hosted by French shipping line CMA CGM and attended by elected leaders, port officials and industry executives. The CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin, which has a container capacity of 18,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) or 9,000 40-foot-long boxes, arrived Thursday morning at Pier J’s Pacific Container Terminal (PCT).

The Port of Oakland has set its plan to move containerized cargo once a marine terminal closes March 31. The Port said today its Continuity Plan will keep trade flowing and prevent vessel diversions to other ports. The plan addresses the impending shutdown of Outer Harbor Terminals LLC, formerly known as Ports America Outer Harbor Terminals LLC. The terminal operator has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced it will leave Oakland. The Port said its Continuity Plan calls for ships that use Outer Harbor Terminal to relocate to berths at adjacent terminals in Oakland. It said terminals will add labor where necessary and open gates nights and weekends to accommodate additional cargo.

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners has approved an $829 million budget for the Harbor Department’s next fiscal year, including more than a half a billion dollars for capital improvements at the Port of Long Beach. The budget, which will be presented to the Long Beach City Council for its consideration, designates $555 million for capital investments including the Port’s major terminal redevelopment and bridge replacement projects. For the fiscal year starting Oct. 1, 2015, the budget anticipates a 6.1 percent increase in operating revenue over the current fiscal year’s income.

U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Mario Cordero addressed the Professional Environmental Management Association (PEMA) at its Annual Ports Program held in Seal Beach, California. The Chairman spoke on the subject of congestion at U.S. ports and the vital role of sustainable development of ports and related transportation infrastructure. Chairman Cordero described causes of, and the need for solutions to congestion, with a focus on the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Chairman Cordero also explained the Commission’s efforts to facilitate discussions among stakeholders.

In his first-ever State of the Port address, Port of Long Beach Chief Executive Jon Slangerup on Thursday unveiled plans for congestion-beating smart systems for cargo movement and an all-out push to achieve energy resilience for port operations with wind turbines, solar cells and other clean technologies. Speaking to an audience of nearly 900 at the Long Beach Convention Center’s Pacific Ballroom, Slangerup summed up the Port of Long Beach’s achievements in 2014 then gave his expectations for 2015 and beyond, setting high goals for himself and the port.

Port of Long Beach Chief Executive Jon Slangerup on Thursday unveiled ambitious plans for congestion-beating smart systems for cargo movement and an all-out push to achieve energy resilience for port operations with wind turbines, solar cells and other clean technologies, in his first-ever “State of the Port” address. Speaking to a record audience of nearly 900 at the Long Beach Convention Center’s Pacific Ballroom, Slangerup summed up the Port of Long Beach’s achievements in 2014 then gave his expectations for 2015 and beyond, setting high goals for himself and the Port. Slangerup’s address followed welcoming comments by Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, Harbor Commission President Doug Drummond and Harbor Commission Vice President Rich Dines.

Andrew Tung, CEO and Managing Director of Orient Overseas Container Line, was presented today with the prestigious “Port Pilot Award” by the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. Tung is the 77th recipient of the award, which is presented to business and political leaders and advocates who have made contributions to international trade within the maritime industry. He is the first third-generation Port Pilot winner. His father, C.H. Tung (in 1987), and grandfather, C.Y. Tung (in 1977), were also recipients. “We’re pleased to present our prestigious Port Pilot Award to a very deserving Andy Tung,” said Doug Drummond, President of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners.

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, Harbor Commissioners and senior Harbor Department staff are traveling to several Asian countries, meeting with the Port of Long Beach’s key customers to retain and bring more business to Long Beach. The Long Beach officials are scheduled to meet with senior leadership of shipping lines based in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Japan to explain the Port’s competitive advantages for business, and to introduce the new Mayor, Harbor Commissioners and Chief Executive.

Ten building contractors were recognized Monday, Aug. 11, 2014, by the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners for hiring the most Long Beach residents for construction jobs at the Port of Long Beach’s Middle Harbor Redevelopment Project. The companies received the Port of Long Beach’s first “Community Partner Awards” for their work at the $1.3 billion terminal project. The Port started encouraging contractors to employ Long Beach residents at the project before construction started in April 2011. While there is a requirement to have at least 30 percent of workers come from the region, hiring city residents is voluntary. Since construction started…

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners on Monday, July 14, approved an $858 million budget for the Port of Long Beach in the upcoming fiscal year, with two-thirds of the spending set aside for a robust building and modernization program. For the fiscal year starting Oct. 1, 2014, the Harbor Department plans to spend $579 million on capital projects ? part of a decade-long, $4 billion investment in Port upgrades and efficiency improvements. The ongoing Desmond Bridge Replacement Project and Middle Harbor Terminal Redevelopment will continue to be the Port’s largest construction projects. The budget was unanimously approved by the Commission and will be presented to the Long Beach City Council for approval.

High-tech cranes, bigger ships, cleaner skies and more jobs ― that’s the way Al Moro, Acting Executive Director of the City of Long Beach Harbor Department, summed up the Port of Long Beach’s 2013 and the expectations for the year just started, at Thursday morning’s biggest-ever State of the Port address. Harbor Commission President Doug Drummond introduced Moro with his own hopeful outlook for 2014 during the annual event, which this year drew an audience of more than 700 at a downtown Long Beach hotel.

Navis announced that Pier F at Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT) has gone live with Navis’ N4 terminal operating system (TOS). This implementation allows LBCT to streamline current operations and prepare for the implementation of N4 for the new advanced terminal under construction at Middle Harbor Terminal in Long Beach, California. LBCT and the Middle Harbor Terminal project will create one of the most advanced and energy efficient container terminals in the world. It is also expected to boost the local economy, creating nearly 14,000 jobs in the greater Los Angeles/Long Beach area as a result and bring a competitive advantage to the regional and national supply chain. navis.com

Containerized cargo volume at the Port of Long Beach surged 16 percent in August compared to the same month one year ago, with double-digit percentage gains in both imports and exports. Latest Middle Harbor project update shows significant progress. August 2013 is not only the busiest month in 2013 so far, but is the busiest month for cargo at Long Beach since October 2007. August through October each year is traditionally the “peak season” for ocean-borne imports, as retailers prepare for a rise in buying as the end-of-the-year holidays approach.