By Mark Edward Nero
On Aug. 22, the Port of San Francisco and Mayor Edwin Lee welcomed Pasha Group subsidiary Pasha Automotive Services for the first ship call to unload 500 automobiles being transported by truck to Northern California dealerships.
The call was at Pier 80, the port’s 69-acre cargo terminal in the southern waterfront. The terminal consists of about 69 acres of cargo laydown space, two warehouses and four deep-water berths.
“Pasha Automotive’s transformation of Pier 80 reopens our city as a national hub for shipping and trade,” Lee said. “The revival of a once thriving industry ushers in a new era of commerce at the Port of San Francisco.”
The port’s new 15-year lease agreement with Pasha Automotive allows the import and export of vehicles by ship at Pier 80, with on-terminal automobile preparation and detailing services.
Port officials said they believe the agreement with Pasha Automotive could transform Pier 80 from an underutilized asset to a thriving marine terminal creating new revenue for the port and significant economic and employment benefits for the city.
“This marine terminal agreement signifies a new beginning for cargo operations at the Port of San Francisco,” said Willie Adams, president of the San Francisco Port Commission. “We want the world’s shipping community to know that the Port of San Francisco is open for business.”
Pier 80 is expected to employ about 50 longshore workers during vessel operations, and as automobile processing reaches capacity, it’s anticipated that 150 new employees would be hired and trained.
It is expected that Pier 80 could receive about 96 ships per year, shipping roughly 150,000 vehicles.
The Pasha Group, a family-owned and operated company headquartered in the Northern California city of San Rafael, is a multi-faceted transport company with shipping services from the US West Coast and Hawaii. Pasha Automotive currently operates automobile marine terminals in San Diego and Grays Harbor, Washington.
“As a company, we are committed to ensuring that maritime uses are supported, and that our country’s valuable waterfront assets receive the investment they need to serve commercial, not just recreational uses,” Pasha Automotive Senior Vice President of Services John Pasha said.
