The Port of Long Beach (POLB) has announced the completion of the Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT) at Middle Harbor, equipped with nearly all-electric and zero-emissions equipment.
LBCT at Middle Harborone constitutes “one of the most technologically advanced cargo facilities” which is designed to increase the ports’ throughput, improve cargo flow and enhance the air quality in a sustainable way, according to a statement.
All major structures are built with features to save power and water, such as the 14 ship-to-shore gantry cranes which line a new, 1,280-metre-long concrete wharf, meeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
“As the world’s first all-electric, zero-emission mega terminal, LBCT sets the industry standard for moving cargo sustainably while keeping the Port competitive and supporting vital jobs,” stated Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach, Mario Cordero.
In addition, Long Beach Harbor Commission President, Steven Neal said, “This new terminal charts a new course for greener cargo operations and strengthens our ongoing commitment to the Green Port Policy and San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan enacted about 15 years ago.”
The construction of the US$1.493 billion project started in May 2011 and five years later, the first part of the terminal opened with the completion of Phase 1, allowing the terminal to begin operations across 611 m², and in October 2017 the facility was expanded to 772m² (Phase 2).
The third and final phase concluded in July, growing the terminal to 1.22km² with a completed container yard, an administration building and an on-dock rail yard designed to handle 1.1 million TEU annually, while another 12m² will be added in 2025 with the opening of the North Gate Expansion.
All ships calling at the terminal plug into shore power connections while berthed, allowing them to shut down diesel engines and connect to the landside electrical grid.
With an annual capacity of 3.3 million TEU, the newly established container terminal by itself would rank as America’s sixth-busiest seaport, according to Port of Long Beach, capable of moving twice the cargo with less than half of the air pollution of the two terminals it replaces.
