Thomas Fields News

The Port of Long Beach is an economic engine that purrs like a luxury sedan, but Thomas Fields, President of the Port of Long Beach Commission, believes it has the potential to roar like a racecar. “As the nation’s second busiest trade gateway, we are an ideal nucleus for a cluster of economic activity built on the maritime industry,” said Fields, the President of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. An industry cluster is a geographical concentration of interconnected businesses, suppliers and associated institutions that share a specialized infrastructure, labor markets and services for competitive advantages and gains. Apply it to Long Beach…

The Port of Long Beach has cut diesel particulates by 81 percent since 2005, according to an analysis just released. The results for 2012 mark six straight years of improving air quality in the harbor area thanks to the Port's focused efforts to reduce air pollution caused by goods movement. The reasons for air quality improvements include bigger ships carrying cargo more efficiently, newer ships with cleaner engines, the Jan. 1, 2012 deadline for full implementation of the Clean Trucks Program…

Thomas Fields, President of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, has given his official inaugural speech, outlining his plans to launch a 100-day "listening tour" with Port customers and other stakeholders, and to pursue the development of "maritime industry clusters" to enhance the Port's economic benefits to the region. Fields was elected as Board President on June 17, 2013, by his fellow board members, to a one year term from July 2013 through June 2014. The President of the Harbor Commissioners said: "... Now let’s go back to the future.

The Long Beach advertising executive & former city planning commissioner, will lead the commission for a 1-year term from 1, July 2013. Thomas Fields will succeed Commissioner Susan E. Anderson Wise, who has served two years as President. The Board President serves as chair of the commission, running board meetings and often representing the Port to the public and shipping industry. “I look forward to serving as Board President; this is an exciting time for the Port as we look…

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.

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners to support the city’s appeal against a proposed Port of Los Angeles rail yard project. The city’s appeal is of the Southern California International Gateway rail yard project approved recently by the Port of Los Angeles. The 153-acre facility proposed by BNSF Railway Co. sits just outside West Long Beach, alongside the Terminal Island Freeway on land owned by the Port of Los Angeles. Much of its impact would be felt by nearby Long Beach residents, businesses and schools.

Board approves move to temporary headquarters at 4801 Airport Plaza Drive. The Port's administrative staff of about 350 people is expected to move to Airport Plaza in 2013. The Board stressed that the move is temporary, and that discussions will begin soon on building a permanent headquarters in or near downtown Long Beach. "I am relieved that we have identified a secure, temporary home," said Board President Susan E. Anderson Wise. Wise, and commissioners Rich Dines, Doug Drummond and Nick Sramek voted in favor of purchasing the Airport Plaza building.