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Robert Garcia News

23 Aug 2021

Long Beach's All-electric, Zero-emissions Mega Terminal Completed

(Photo: Port of Long Beach)

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…

15 Jan 2020

A New Plan for Queen Mary

Queen Mary docked in Long Beach, Calif. (Photo: Urban Commons)

A new plan is being formulated to preserve and improve one of the world's most historic and well-known vessels.The record-setting superliner Queen Mary has been sitting permanently moored in Long beach, Calif. since its removal from transatlantic service in 1967. A 2015 survey revealed the once glorified liner has been in an escalating state of disrepair, but estimates detailing the extent of work needed have varied.Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said in his State of the City…

25 Aug 2017

Port of Long Beach Achieves Record Pollution Reductions

The Port of Long Beach notched clean air records in its latest study of air pollution emissions, including an 88 percent reduction in diesel particulate matter, continuing more than a decade of air quality improvements. The first phase of the zero-emissions Long Beach Container Terminal opened on Pier E in 2016, helping to drive down the air pollution tallied in the Port’s annual Emissions Inventory, which was completed this week. The Port has been monitoring its progress in air quality improvements since 2005. “The Port of Long Beach, in partnership with the Port of Los Angeles, has been a global leader in reducing pollution associated with goods movement,” said Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia.

21 Nov 2016

LA, Long Beach Ports Unveil Strategies to Cut GHG

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.

13 May 2016

Port of Long Beach Sponsors Logistics Academy

Photo: Port of Long Beach

At its third annual Celebrating Education event, held at McBride High School on Thursday, May 12, the Port of Long Beach recognized scholarship and high school internship recipients and announced a new initiative to broaden its educational outreach through a specialized academy at Cabrillo High School, which is located in the vicinity of the Port. The Port of Long Beach Academy of Global Logistics was announced by Harbor Commission Vice President Lou Anne Bynum at the event. Mayor Robert Garcia…

18 Feb 2016

Mega Containership to Receive US Inauguration

CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin (Photo: Port of Long Beach)

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).

15 Oct 2015

Long Beach Port Improves Air Quality

The Port of Long Beach has surpassed every air pollution reduction milestone set for 2014 by the landmark San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan, according to an analysis released today. An annual, comprehensive inventory of port-related air pollution emissions in 2014 found the Port’s efforts to reduce pollution have cut diesel particulates by 85 percent since 2005, surpassing the CAAP goal for 2014 of a 72 percent reduction. In addition to the drop in diesel emissions, smog-forming nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides have dropped 50 percent and 97 percent respectively. The corresponding goals for the year are 22 percent and 93 percent.

28 Sep 2015

Calif. Forum Examines Transport ‘Beyond Traffic’

Paul “Chip” Jaenichen (Photo: MARAD)

U.S. Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen and Long Beach Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal today hosted the third of 11 nationwide regional forums on the Beyond Traffic draft framework at Long Beach Convention Center. The Beyond Traffic report examines the trends and choices facing America’s transportation infrastructure over the next three decades, including a rapidly growing population, increasing freight volume, demographic shifts in rural and urban areas and a transportation system facing more frequent extreme weather events.

18 Sep 2015

Commission Appointments at Long Beach Port

The Long Beach City Council on Tuesday confirmed the appointments of Long Beach City College executive Lou Anne Bynum and former City Councilman Doug Drummond to second terms on the Board of Harbor Commissioners. Mayor Robert Garcia announced the reappointments last month. Both Bynum, the Harbor Board Vice President, and Drummond, a former Board President, were originally appointed by Garcia’s predecessor, Mayor Bob Foster. “These commissioners have done outstanding jobs helping to lead the Harbor Department,” Garcia said. “Their commitment to continuing public service will provide stability and consistency to the decisions governing Long Beach’s most important economic engine.

30 Jul 2015

Long Beach Port Celebrates Environmental Successes

Shipping lines, environmental organizations, trucking companies, terminal operators and a railroad were honored today, July 29, by Long Beach Mayor Dr. Robert Garcia and the Port of Long Beach at the annual Environmental Achievement Awards. The awards are an outgrowth of the groundbreaking Green Port Policy, the Port’s commitment to improving the environment. Approved in 2005 by the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, the policy put the Port on the path to become a world leader in environmental stewardship. At today’s event, Mayor Garcia introduced the “Mayor’s Green Port Award,” which was presented to terminal operator Long Beach Container Terminal.

23 May 2015

Mayor Garcetti on Ratification of Port Labor Contract

International Longshore and Warehouse Union members have ratified a five-year contract governing pay and work rules at 29 West Coast ports, including those of Los Angeles and Long Beach. "Today is a big day for America's number one port -- the Port of Los Angeles. Now that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and Pacific Maritime Association members have ratified the port labor agreement that we worked on in February, we can now move forward together to make our port the best in the world and keep our economy moving. "The approval of this labor contract allows us to move full speed ahead sharpening our competitive edge. In the last 90 days…

11 Mar 2015

Long Beach Mayor, Port Leaders in Europe

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia is leading a Port of Long Beach delegation on a weeklong business development trip this week to meet with executives at the European home offices of the world’s three largest shipping lines. The group will update Port customers on the impact of the recent labor negotiations and steps being taken to improve congestion and make the Port more efficient. Delegation members include Harbor Commission President Doug Drummond, Commission Vice President Rich Dines, Commissioner Lou Anne Bynum and Harbor Department Chief Executive Jon Slangerup. "It's incredibly important that we let our customers know that despite the labor negotiation process and congestion, the Port of Long Beach is still the best place to do business on the West Coast," said Mayor Garcia.

27 Feb 2015

LA, Long Beach Ports Cooperation Approved

The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles received federal approval Thursday to cooperate more vigorously on finding new ways to prevent congestion and cargo delays, improve the transportation network and enhance air quality. The Federal Maritime Commission’s (FMC) decision to grant the expanded agreement allows the ports to pursue joint projects that will strengthen the port complex’s ability to remove bottlenecks and move cargo faster and more efficiently. “The ports and cities of Long Beach and Los Angeles both succeed when the other succeeds. My thanks to the Federal Maritime Commission and FMC Chairman Mario Cordero for allowing our ports to join forces to address congestion and cargo delays so these issues do not occur again,” said Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia.

30 Jan 2015

Congestion is Port of Long Beach’s Toughest Issue

Jon Slangerup (Photo courtesy of the Port of Long Beach)

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.

30 Jan 2015

Long Beach Port to Boost Power, Speed Clearance

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.

04 Dec 2014

Long Beach Port Helps Fund Westside “Livability” Study

The public is invited to attend the first community workshop to discuss the Livable West Long Beach Plan and Green Terminal Island (TI) Plan on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 10 a.m. at Silverado Park, 1545 W. 31st St. “The goal of both plans is to improve the quality of life in West Long Beach,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. The City of Long Beach has begun two key planning efforts that will have a major impact on enhancing the quality of life in West Long Beach. The Livable West Long Beach Plan will establish a comprehensive strategy to ensure that existing improvement measures found in plans such as the I-710 Community Livability Plan and the Mobility Element are funded and implemented throughout the west corridor of the City.

17 Oct 2014

Long Beach Officials on Trade Mission in Asia

Photo: Port of Long Beach

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.

02 Oct 2014

Bridge Milestone Celebrated at Port of Long Beach

Port, City and Caltrans officials, along with an international team of builders and designers, celebrated a key milestone today in the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project: Construction of the first set of bridge foundations is under way. “This new iconic bridge represents our future and it’s very exciting to see the construction in full swing,” said Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. When completed, the new bridge spanning the Port of Long Beach will be one of the tallest bridges of its kind in the United States. With two 515-foot towers and a majestic cable-stayed design, the new bridge will be an icon for Long Beach and Southern California visible from miles away.

18 Sep 2014

Environmental Attorney Joins Long Beach Harbor Commission

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.