Port of Long Beach celebrated a recently finished wharf enhancement project that will allow the Californian port to handle newer, larger and greener ships, as well as a recent agreement to guarantee an abundant supply of qualified employees for future building projects.
The Pier G Wharf Improvements Project adds 75 meters of the expanded wharf to Pier G, allowing terminal operator International Transportation Service to handle container ships transporting up to 16,000 TEUs.
The Port-funded US$55 million project also expands the backland region and mooring facilities at Pier G.
“The Berth B236 extension is an interesting project. It amounts to less than a 1% area increase to our terminal, but it has boosted berth capabilities from being able to serve 11,000-TEU to 16,000-TEU vessels, something that will complement the five ship-to-shore cranes that ITS has already ordered for the berth and will be delivered later in 2023,” commented Kim Holtermand, CEO of International Transportation Service at LLC.
In January, the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners passed a new project labour agreement covering building projects worth US$5 million or more, with the goal of assuring the timely delivery of well-built marine terminals, rail upgrades, roads, and other Port infrastructure.
The pact outlines the procedure for quickly resolving any disagreements between contractors and employees, as well as possible jurisdictional disputes between labour unions.
The pact also establishes employment targets for experienced labourers and apprentices, as well as veterans, single parents, and other transitional workers.
