By Karen Robes Meeks
Toyota Logistics Services will be able to redesign its facility at Pier B at the Port of Long Beach to include a renewable energy fuel-cell power plant and hydrogen fueling station and further streamline its operations.
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners recently blessed Toyota’s changes to the marine terminal where the company unloads vehicles from ships before processing and moving them by rail and truck.
“Toyota is one of our oldest customers,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “We’ve grown together during a business partnership that’s almost a half-century old, and part of the reason we’ve remained successful is recognizing the need to invest in modernization projects like this to improve our operations.”
The 18-month project, expected to start later this year, will corral office, car washing, fueling, auto body and other facilities in one central building. It will also include the construction of a 2.3-megawatt fuel-cell power plant and a new fueling station offering hydrogen.
“Toyota is demonstrating hydrogen fuel as a viable alternative for fueling vehicles,” said Harbor Commission President Tracy Egoscue. “The example they are setting at the Port of Long Beach should be applauded not only by the goods movement industry, but by everyone who wants a sustainable present and future for our planet.”
