Friday, August 24, 2018

Toyota Developing Long Beach Facility

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.”

Oakland to Develop Logistics Complex

By Karen Robes Meeks

This fall, the Port of Oakland will start construction on its highly anticipated Seaport Logistics Complex.

“This is our future,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director John Driscoll. “The Seaport Logistics Complex will give freight shippers the opportunity to manage international supply chains right next door to the rail yards and marine terminals where their cargo is transported.”

The complex, which already features a $100 million rail yard that opened in 2016, will eventually house multiple buildings for warehousing or distribution. The campus will include CenterPoint Properties’ 440,000-square-foot CenterPoint Landing, a $52 million facility that is expected to open by summer 2020 at Maritime and 14th Street.

Everett Starts Terminal Modernization Project

By Karen Robes Meeks

Earlier this month, the Port of Everett broke ground on its $36 million South Terminal Modernization project, the port’s largest capital project in history by dollar value.

The project allows the port to accommodate the next generation of over-dimensional cargo, including aerospace parts for the new [Boeing] 777X.

“I find it fitting that as we celebrate the Port of Everett’s centennial year in 2018, we continue to be forward-thinking, preparing the Port’s infrastructure to carry us into our next 100 years,” said Glen Bachman, Port of Everett commission president. “Completing critical infrastructure upgrades like this will better position the Port and its facilities to handle the larger vessels and heavier cargoes now calling Everett, including aerospace parts for the new 777X and other opportunities on the horizon.”

The South Terminal facility project calls for fortifying the remaining 560-feet of the 700-foot South Terminal dock structure and upgrading the wharf’s electrical capabilities. When it is done, the dock will be strong enough to support a pair of 100-foot gauge rail-mounted container cranes and provide vaults for ships to plug into shore power while at the dock.

The project will bring more jobs, prosperity and commerce to the waterfront,” said Port of Everett Acting CEO Lisa Lefeber. “Since 2015, the Port has invested millions of dollars to adapt its facilities to support the next generation of shipping, and this major infrastructure investment is a continuation of that effort. This project has come to fruition thanks to the strong, reliable and forward-thinking leadership of our Port Commission and the continuous support of our project partners at the local, state, federal and tribal levels.”

Los Angeles Posts Busiest July

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Los Angeles posted its busiest July ever last month, moving 833,568 TEUs, boasting a 4.6 percent increase over July 2017.

Los Angeles also processed 438,165 TEUs in imports, a five percent jump from the same period last year, while handling 8.4 percent more exports with 167,992 TEUs.

“With a robust economy and cargo owners moving goods ahead of expected tariffs, our terminal operators, labor force and supply chain partners seamlessly moved a record amount of cargo across our docks,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “That speaks to the efficiency, speed, reliability and service that are the hallmarks of the Port of Los Angeles.”

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Kalama Methanol Permits Reinstated

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Shorelines Permits for the Kalama Manufacturing and Marine Export Facility (KMMEF) methanol production plant has been reinstated by a judge, a move that clarifies what needs to be studied in the supplemental environmental impact statement (EIS), according to the Port of Kalama.

Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge James Warning made the reinstatement, allowing the port to focus on revising the Greenhouse gas (GHG) impact analysis while keeping in place the rest of the EIS pending the GHG review.

“We’re pleased the Shorelines Permits are reinstated—this important decision appropriately narrows and focuses the Shoreline Board’s EIS remand order, consistent with what the law requires,” said Port Executive Director Mark Wilson. “Ambiguity about what the law requires, related to greenhouse gas emissions, has been a challenge.”

Northwest Innovations Works, LLC wants to develop and run a natural gas-to-methanol production plant and storage facility on about 90 acres at the port. The project would feature a methanol plant, a gas pipeline lateral, and a new marine terminal.

APL Guaranteed Delivery Makes First Call

By Karen Robes Meeks

The inaugural APL’s “time-guaranteed” cargo delivery service, Eagle Express X, arrived at the Port of Los Angeles last week.

According to the port, the new weekly service from China to Los Angeles allows for faster transit option, running 11 days from Shanghai and 12 days from Ningbo with attractive origin cutoffs and 100 percent guaranteed space and equipment.

Upon arrival in Los Angeles, containers under this service are loaded onto a reserved smart chassis and sent to a dedicated yard for availability the same day. No appointments are needed to access exclusive EXX gates.

“We’re excited to celebrate the first arrival of APL’s new Eagle Express X service to the Port of Los Angeles,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “Given our port’s commitment to customer service, superior infrastructure and a labor force that can adeptly handle a speed-to-market premium service, the Eagle Express X is yet another way that we are responding to the evolving needs of our cargo customers.”

APL will also have “White Glove Customer Service” teams in Asia and Nashville for its North America customers.

“APL is always looking for ways to provide differentiated services for our customers,” said Ed Aldridge, president of APL, North America. “The Eagle Express X is our new initiative, which provides our valuable customers with a cost-efficient air freight alternative for its urgent cargo and a first-class service for its ocean shipments from origin to destination. The customer support for this new expedited service has been both exceptional and exciting.”

Oakland Environmental Construction Grants Available

By Karen Robes Meeks

Oakland area residents looking at a career in the environmental construction trades may benefit from a $70,000 grant from the Port of Oakland.

In an effort to meet the future labor demands of port development projects, the port recently awarded the grant to Oakland-based Rising Sun Energy Center, a nonprofit dedicated to aiding low-income adults obtain careers in the construction, energy efficiency, and solar industries.

“The Port is excited to work with Rising Sun Energy Center as we continue to expand our community partnerships to prepare local residents for careers in construction,” said Port of Oakland Social Responsibility Division Director Amy Tharpe. “They specialize in developing a sustainable workforce pipeline into eco-friendly industries.”

The money comes from a project labor agreement stipulation that requires port contractors to pay into a Social Justice Trust fund that nurtures workforce development.

Groups such as Cypress Mandela Training Center, Youth Employment Partnership and the West Oakland Job Resource Center have received about $560,000 since 1999.

“We look forward to working with the Port to provide good-paying local jobs,” said Rising Sun Energy Center Executive Director Jodi Pincus. “Our eco-literacy training will prepare workers for jobs that are currently in demand.”

Long Beach Master Plan Meeting Scheduled

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Long Beach will host a meeting to garner feedback for an environmental study of an update to its Master Plan–a document that outlines long-term goals and policies for land use and development.

The master plan was last updated in 1990. This revised version will reflect recent changes in the industry and include previous amendments to the plan.

The August 30 meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, 5870 Atlantic Ave. in Long Beach, Calif., with an open house scheduled for 6 p.m.

Can’t attend the meeting? Send comments on what environmental issues should be tackled in the study by September 10 to Heather Tomley, Director of Environmental Planning, Port of Long Beach, 4801 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach, CA 90815, or to ceqa@polb.com.

Visit www.polb.com/masterplanupdate for more information.