Long Beach Harbor Commission 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.

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.

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.

Environmental attorney and Long Beach resident Tracy Egoscue joined the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners on Tuesday as the first Commissioner appointed by newly elected Mayor Robert Garcia. She was approved by the City Council last week for a six-year term. Egoscue heads a Long Beach-based private law practice, and in the past was Executive Officer of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board – Los Angeles Region, and prior to that served as Executive Director of Santa Monica Baykeeper, an environmental advocacy group. She has also practiced environmental litigation as a Deputy Attorney General for the California Department of Justice, and worked on issues encompassing the Air Resources Board, the California Environmental Quality Act and the Federal Clean Water Act.

Iron ore exports start up at Long Beach: Western U.S. mines supply the raw material for shipment to Asia. Officials gathered dockside to celebrate the exporting of iron ore from the Port of Long Beach – a promising new line of business developed by SA Recycling, a longtime exporter of scrap metal. SA Recycling is working with CML Metals Corp. to send iron ore from mines in Utah, California, Arizona and Nevada to meet the growing demand for raw materials in Asia’s booming steel industry. The iron ore exports, which started up this spring, are the first in 40 years from the Port.