{"id":6125,"date":"2008-01-26T08:26:21","date_gmt":"2008-01-26T08:26:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/state-of-the-long-beach-port\/"},"modified":"2008-01-26T08:26:21","modified_gmt":"2008-01-26T08:26:21","slug":"state-of-the-long-beach-port","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/state-of-the-long-beach-port","title":{"rendered":"State Of The Long Beach Port"},"content":{"rendered":"

Port Executive Director Richard Steinke gave an address Friday to the International Business Association of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce on the state of our city’s port.  He emphasized that the port has made many efforts to become a “community partner,” including several new and improved community outreach measures.  These include public boat tours, the annual Green Port Fest (next one October 4, 2008!), the local cable show Pulse of the Port, and the newest, the “Let’s Talk Port” community meetings.  Mr. Steinke also helpfully dissected the port’s new logo<\/a>, an ambitious representation of many concepts that certainly takes some explaining.  He observed, getting a laugh, that “not everybody likes it, but we love it.”<\/p>\n

I learned today that the port has also made past contributions enabling development or improvement of such city landmarks as the Convention Center, Aquarium of the Pacific, and World Trade Center.  And of course the port supports 30,000 jobs in Long Beach and well over ten times that number across Southern California.<\/p>\n

Mr. Steinke discussed the fact that port container traffic, which has been on a tear, growing by near double-digits each year since the early 2000’s, grew by a meager 0.3% in 2007.  He said this was the second weakest gain in 20 years, and cited a number of factors, including a lingering perception in the shipping industry that Southern California ports are unreliable.  However, the long-term forecast continues to be for dramatic growth in container trade.<\/p>\n

Looking forward, Mr. Steinke cited many uncertainties beyond the port’s control:  a weaker real estate market, wobbly consumer confidence, renegotiation of the ILWU labor contract for port workers, and implementation of the federal Transportation Worker Identification Credential.<\/p>\n

The port can be expected, then, to focus on the areas that are under its control.  The “Green Port Policy<\/a>,” implemented in 2005, and the Clean Air Action Plan<\/a> adopted in 2006 continue to become realities as the port (along with its sister port in Los Angeles) adopts new rules and fees.  I am pleased to see these fees and programs take shape; they feel like progress, something that’s been lacking in port and goods movement matters for some time.  And so far… no lawsuits!<\/p>\n

The most critical area where progress is due is in the advancement of key port projects, such as the Middle Harbor project, whose Environmental Impact Report is expected next month.  Such projects will help deal with the growth in trade that is almost certainly coming, while continuing to bolster efforts to reduce emissions:  for example, by increasing the capacity for loading containers on rail at the dock, which eliminates some off-port truck trips.  It remains to be seen whether the port’s analysis of environmental impacts will withstand the scrutiny of community members and environmental groups.  In Los Angeles, the Harbor Commission’s decision to approve the EIR for the TraPac terminal project<\/a> has been appealed to the City Council, and remains in limbo.
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