The Port of Los Angeles will begin construction this summer on a two-year project to upgrade and expand berths and backlands at the Yusen Terminals LLC container terminal.
The Port of Los Angeles will begin construction this summer on a two-year million project to upgrade berths and backlands at the Yusen Terminals LLC container terminal. Yusen operates the 185-acre container terminal under a long-term lease with the port through 2026.
According to the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners, the project will enhance wharf, rail and yard infrastructure “to optimize terminal operations” and could cost up to $135 million. Of that $135 million, the port will contribute an estimated $67 million, including costs for an on-dock rail project to be completed in under a separate contract in 2016, and Yusen estimates it could invest more than $60 million for the project. Another $8 million of the project’s costs will be covered by California Proposition 1B Transportation Bond funds.
Manson Construction Co. has already been awarded a $44.6 million contract to upgrade berths, and backlands at berths 212-224 of the Yusen terminal.
The project consists of upgrading wharf, and backland infrastructure within Yusen’s existing footprint to allow the terminal to simultaneously work three container ships with a capacity of up to 13,000 TEUs, 11,000 TEUs and 6,500 TEUs, respectively.
The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners said in a statement elements of the improvements include:
- Deepening Berths 214-216 from -45 to -53 feet and Berths 217-220 from -45 to ‑47 feet.
- Adding up to four new ship-to-shore gantry cranes and raising some existing cranes to equip the terminal with up to 14 operating Post-Panamax cranes, including eight Super Post-Panamax cranes with a maximum outreach of 197 feet or 22 container rows across.
- Extending the wharf crane rail infrastructure that supports lateral repositioning of ship-to-shore cranes by adding 1,500 feet of crane rail at Berths 217-220.
- Adding four new alternative maritime power (AMP) boxes at Berths 217-220 to provide shore to ship electrical connection facilities.
- Increasing Yusen’s on-dock rail capacity 25 percent by adding a single 2900-foot line of loading track to accommodate higher container volumes in a short period of time when large ships call.
The project also incorporates 25 measures to mitigate environmental impacts during construction and ongoing terminal operations, including using environmentally-friendly construction equipment, implementing noise reduction strategies and recycling building materials.
The expansion of the Yusen terminal is expected to generate 592 jobs during construction and more than 2,200 permanent direct and indirect jobs in Southern California by 2026, according to the board.
“This project consists of strategic improvements to make Yusen a more agile terminal and strengthen our competitive edge,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said in a statement. “In addition to making the best use of Port property, it incorporates green features and practices that further our commitment to the highest environmental standards.”
The Yusen container terminal upgrade is part a larger capital investment program at the Port of Los Angeles that aims to enhance berth, gate and rail efficiencies at all marine terminals. Under the program, the port plans to invest more than $800 million in its facilities over the next five years.
At a press conference in Los Angeles yesterday, U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez praised workers for clearing the backlog of cargo that developed at the ports this past winter during negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and employers.
Perez got involved in the final weeks of the negotiations between the ILWU and Pacific Maritime Association, and contended that the February contract agreement showed contract negotiations work.
According to Bloomberg, Perez said he opposed legislation that would give the government more power to intervene in labor disputes that disrupt cargo.
Speaking at the same press event, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said a more efficient and speedy port will “attract more ships and put more people to work,” according to a story in the Los Angeles Times.