Long Beach Harbor News

Officials dedicated two new Port of Long Beach fireboat stations that are enhancing the Long Beach Fire Department’s waterside and landside emergency response capabilities, better safeguarding visiting ships, cargo and waterfront workers.The facilities – Fireboat Station 15 and Fireboat Station 20 – are the products of a $109 million Port of Long Beach program to preserve business continuity, security and economic interests. With an anticipated lifespan of 50 years, both stations…

A critical channel deepening project that will help move cargo more efficiently to and from the U.S. advanced Monday after the Long Beach Harbor Commission concluded an extensive environmental review process and greenlit the endeavor.The work will also allow the port to welcome newer cleaner, and more efficient cargo vessels. The Port of Long Beach and the federal government will share the costs, estimated at almost $170 million. The port’s portion is estimated at $109 million.“By improving navigation in Long Beach Harbor…

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…

July marked the busiest month in the 109-year history of the Port of Long Beach as terminal operators and dockworkers moved 753,081 cargo container units, topping a record set two years ago.Trade increased 21.1% in July compared to the same month in 2019. The previous single-month record of 752,188 twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs), set in June 2018, was surpassed by nearly 900 TEUs.“Supply chain workers at the Port of Long Beach expertly handled a welcome surge in cargo that was brought on due to pent-up demand by consumers,” said Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach.

Cargo shipments rose at the Port of Long Beach in May as the economic effects of COVID-19 started to subside.Some 628,205 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container cargo move through the port last month, a 9.5% increase from May 2019. Imports grew 7.6% to 312,590 TEUs, while exports climbed 11.6% to 134,556 TEUs. Empty containers headed back overseas jumped 11.4% to 181,060 TEUs.The volume increases come as manufacturing in China continues to rebound from the effects of COVID-19…

Port of Long Beach (PoLB) informed that the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners voted unanimously to promote Heather Tomley, a widely respected Southern California leader in environmental improvement programs, to Managing Director of Planning and Environmental Affairs for the Harbor Department.Tomley, with the Department since 2005, has served as the Acting Managing Director for the past 12 months while the Port conducted a nationwide search for candidates for the executive position.“Heather has deep experience creating and managing cutting-edge projects that have dramatically improved air quality and earned crucial industry cooperation…

The Port of Long Beach last month had the fifth-busiest August in its 108-year history. However, the total of 663,992 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) were handled in August, 2.3% less than a year ago.Imports slid 5.9% to 322,780 TEUs, exports rose 4.5% to 124,975 TEUs and empty containers sent overseas for use in the global supply chain decreased 0.3% to 216,238 TEUs.Long Beach volumes after the first eight months of 2019 are 4,971,407 TEUs, 6.6% down from last year’s record pace.“These results are strong for any North American seaport, but lag behind our record high numbers last year, when retailers shipped goods to beat expected tariffs…

The  U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has given the Port of Long Beach $4.8 million to improve cyber-security.According to a press release from the second-busiest container port in the United States, FEMA Port Security Grant financing was announced earlier this month and will pay to upgrade the Port’s cameras and sensors, and continue its investment in fiber and wireless networks.“Securing the Port requires state-of-the-art technology to monitor activities on land, on the water and below the water,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero.“This grant will help us enhance our domain awareness and maintain our readiness to protect the harbor…

Mediterranean Shipping Company’s MSC Jewel, the cleanest container ship to visit the United States, has stopped by the Port of Long Beach (PoLB).According to a release from the second-busiest container port in the United States, after the Port of Los Angeles, which it adjoins, MSC Jewel arrived at Total Terminals International’s Pier T facility on July 12.The ship, 1,200 feet long with a capacity of 14,436 twenty-foot equivalent units, was built in 2019 and is powered by Tier III diesel engines (main propulsion and auxiliary power), which are 75% cleaner than the Tier II standard set by the International Maritime Organization.“Tier III ships just started entering the global fleet.

Officials from the Port of Long Beach, Southern California Edison and the California Energy Commission today launched the nation’s largest pilot project for zero-emissions cranes and other cargo-handling equipment for seaports. Funded mostly by a $9.7 million grant from the California Energy Commission, the project will bring 25 vehicles that are zero- or near zero-emissions to Port of Long Beach marine terminals for one year to test their performance in a real-world setting. The launch event was held at Pacific Container Terminal at Long Beach’s Pier J — operated by SSA Terminals — one of three terminals participating in the project.

Vigilance, the second of the Port of Long Beach’s two new fireboats, was officially brought into service at America’s second busiest port on Monday, and together with its twin Protector (delivered in 2016), will replace fireboats Challenger and Liberty that entered service in the late 1980s. Vigilance and Protector, designed by Robert Allan Ltd. and built by Foss Maritime Co., cost a combined $51.6 million. Jensen Maritime Consultants served as construction manager. Each vessel features 10 water cannons capable of extinguishing fires in the harbor or on nearby land with more than 41…

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners is all set to name Mario Cordero, a former chairman and current member of the Federal Maritime Commission(FMC), as the Port of Long Beach’s (POLB) new Executive Director. Cordero, a Long Beach resident and attorney, served previously as president and as a longtime member of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. “After a comprehensive international search, the Board of Harbor Commissioners recognized that Mario Cordero is an ideal choice to lead the Port of Long Beach,” said Harbor Commission President Lori Ann Guzmán. Lori added: “Mario not only has a deep understanding of the maritime industry from his leadership of the Federal Maritime Commission…

The Port of Long Beach’s Harbor Commission on Wednesday approved an agreement to replace the bankrupt operator of its largest cargo terminal. The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners greenlighted the move by a subsidiary of Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) to take over sole control of the long-term lease of the port’s 381-acre Pier T container terminal from from Hanjin Shipping, a South Korean ocean carrier that declared bankruptcy on August 31. Previously, MSC held a minority stake in the lease for Pier T, where more than a quarter of the Port’s container cargo is moved. The Harbor Commission’s new agreement with MSC subsidiary Terminal Investment Limited (TIL) also guarantees the accelerated installation of ship-to-shore cranes capable of handling the world’s biggest container ships.

Harbor Commission President Lori Ann Guzmán was re-elected Monday evening to serve a second one-year term leading the board that oversees the Port of Long Beach, the nation’s second-busiest seaport. The five-member Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners also selected Lou Anne Bynum as Vice President and Tracy Egoscue as Secretary, continuing in the roles they have served in for the past 12 months. Each July, the Commission selects from its own members the President and the other Board officers for one-year terms. Guzmán, who is the Director of Finance for the City of Huntington Beach, was appointed to the Harbor Commission in 2013 by then-Mayor Bob Foster. The Commission President chairs Board meetings and represents the Port to the public.

PAO Sovcomflot earned the Green Environmental Achievement Award from California's Port of Long Beach, recognizing the shipper for its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. The company was awarded for its fleet performance by the Port of Long Beach Green Flag Program in 2015. This voluntary program was set up to reduce the atmospheric emissions of vessels by encouraging ships to slow down when approaching the port. A commemorative Green Flag is granted to operators that demonstrated that 90 per cent or more of all its vessel trips complied with the Program…

Recently, Harbor Patrol Officer Benjamin Martin, with help from Long Beach Animal Control, rescued a baby sea lion near a railroad track in the Port. No one knows how the sea lion got there, but he may have wanted a place to play, nap or snack. Obviously, railroad tracks are not a good place for an animal. Thankfully, Officer Martin skillfully worked with Animal Control to rescue the little lost pup before he could get hurt. In the process, two trains had to be briefly delayed, but Port operations were not significantly impacted. After the sea lion was safely rescued, he was taken to the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro, where he was given a health checkup and food. His health is currently being monitored.

Striking Southern California port truckers who accuse shipping companies of wage theft took their grievances on Friday to City Hall in Los Angeles, where they gained new political backing for their cause. The City Council voted unanimously in favor of a resolution voicing support for the truckers and calling on the companies doing business at the city-owned Port of Los Angeles to abide by federal and state labor laws. The truckers also delivered a petition bearing 27,000 signatures from members of the pubic to Mayor Eric Garcetti's office urging him to weigh in on the drivers' behalf. Scores of drivers have been on strike this week against…

The Port of Long Beach’s Security Division has been awarded $3.4 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants to fund ongoing projects that protect the port. The grants will enhance port security systems such as physical security equipment and monitoring and detection systems, including the Virtual Port System, and improve the resiliency of port security systems, the port said. “Protecting workers and the community, as well as ensuring business continuity, are top priorities at the Port of Long Beach,” said Lori Ann Guzmán, President of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. FEMA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security…

Long Beach Port is once again giving tourists opportunity to enjoy a rare view of port operations on a free Port of Long Beach harbor tour. The organizers are being welcomed to experience an up-close view of the biggest ships to call in North America and learn about cargo operations, construction projects and environmental initiatives as we build the port of the future. Due to high demand, the 90-minute, narrated harbor tours will start a month early – running from April through September. Tours are scheduled on the first and third Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. and the second and fourth Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Online reservations for April tours will open Monday, Mar. 2 at noon. For all following months, reservations open on the first Monday of the month preceding tour dates.

Experts from across the goods movement industry spoke at the 11th annual “Pulse of the Ports: Peak Season Forecast,” an event hosted by the Port of Long Beach that drew 600 people to the Long Beach Convention Center’s Pacific Ballroom to hear how current trends will affect trade throughout the rest of the year. While the annual event explores the cargo forecast, this year’s session also discussed the recent challenges of cargo movement and how the supply chain is evolving to cope with demands for higher efficiency and improved reliability.

Southern California port truckers seeking recognition as employees rather than contractors ended a strike of freight-hauling companies on Friday after four days of picketing that drew attention to their cause but did little to disrupt cargo shipments. Several hundred drivers, backed by the Teamsters union, struck four trucking firms they accuse of defying federal and state labor enforcement decisions and a court ruling that the truckers were victims of wage theft through misclassification. Many drivers end up earning less than minimum wage due to company paycheck deductions for truck-leasing charges and other costs. A typical worker is short-changed by $60,000 or more yearly, union officials say.

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.

Cargo container numbers at the Port of Long Beach rose 1.1 percent overall in October compared to the same month last year, with congestion issues likely nudging some shipments into November. Still, the Port saw its busiest October since 2010, thanks to a rise in imports. A total of 583,009 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) moved through Long Beach Harbor in October. Imports numbered 310,482 TEUs, up 4.1 percent from October last year. Exports saw a decline of 14.9 percent to 120,445 TEUs. Empty containers increased 11.2 percent to 152,082 TEUs.