By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Long Beach has exceeded eight million TEUs for the first time in history, Executive Director Mario Cordero said Wednesday to an audience of more than 700 people at the annual State of the Port address.
The record number of 8,091,023 TEUs, a seven percent increase from the previous year, sets the stage for continued growth has the port pushes ahead on its $4 billion infrastructure program and zero-emissions efforts.
Future projects include $1 billion in rail upgrades that will enhance the port’s on-dock rail cargo to 35 percent and eventually to 50 percent.
“Rail allows us to move goods to and from all the major US markets much faster than cargo routed through Gulf and East coast ports,” Cordero said. “This is true for imports and exports. And for the American exporter, my message to you is this: our rail will move your cargo faster and more efficiently.”
“The 2019 year will be a “monumental” one for the port,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Tracy Egoscue. “We are moving into our new Civic Center headquarters,” she said. “We will be putting the finishing touches on the replacement for the Gerald Desmond Bridge. The new Long Beach Container Terminal is entering its final phase of construction. And we’re leaping ahead with the greening of the port.”
Cordero noted that there are $80 million in grants that will help the port move toward zero-emissions operations.
Long Beach is pushing terminal operators toward using only zero-emissions equipment by 2030, and for drayage fleets to change to zero-emissions vehicles by 2035.
