A Community Newsletter from the Port of Long Beach re:port Fall 2012 Bridge of the Future Construction will begin soon on a new span to replace the aging Gerald Desmond Bridge. The new bridge will improve traffic flow and include a bike path, pedestrian path and observation decks. Learn more on Pages 4 and 5. inside From the Port Page 2 Export Seminar Page 2 Pollution Drops Page 6 Train Tours Page 8 Green Ships Incentives attract lesspolluting ships Page 3 Beyond the Waterfront The Port supports community events, activities Page 7
A Message from the Port J. Christopher Lytle Executive Director, Port of Long Beach What once seemed like an unreachable destination is now closer than ever. We are threequarters of the way to a zero-emissions port. Since 2005, the Port and its partners have cut diesel pollution from operations by an astounding 75 percent (Page 6). That includes reductions from ships, trucks, locomotives, tugs, tractors and cranes, all the machines that move cargo through our busy port while supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs in the region. It is a great leap toward zero emissions, but our journey will become only more challenging as we get closer to our goal. And that s why the Port continues to introduce innovative programs to further cut pollution. This summer, we introduced a new Green Ship Incentive Program (Page 3) aimed at improving air quality by attracting the world s newest and cleanest big ships to Long Beach. We are committed to a sustainable, green port one that is competitive on the world stage. A premier port must have premier facilities. That s what our $4.5 billion capital improvement program is all about, and you ll read in this issue about the latest in the construction of the new Gerald Desmond Bridge (Pages 4 and 5). We are also helping local businesses find export opportunities (below) to boost trade and ensure Long Beach remains a leading gateway for international trade. A state-of-the-art rail transportation network is integral to a sustainable and competitive future, and that s why this fall the Port will offer free train tours to the public for a rare inside-track glimpse at Port operations (back cover). We re well on our way to building the sustainable Port of the Future today, and we want to share our progress with you. We hope you ll join us. All aboard! Helping Local Businesses Expand Their Horizons This summer, the Port of Long Beach hosted an exports seminar for 150 local small- and medium-size businesses to help them explore markets abroad. It was part of the Port s ongoing commitment as a regional economic engine to help maintain Long Beach s status as a preferred gateway for international trade. There has never been a better time to explore foreign markets, trade experts assembled by the Port told the business owners. The seminar was co-hosted by the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and took place at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach on July 17. Recent trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and the upcoming Pacific Rim Trans-Pacific Partnership have made this an especially favorable time for U.S. businesses to explore the world market. Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster welcomed the attendees, adding that increasing exports through the Port is an essential element to growing the Long Beach economy. Long Beach Harbor Commission President Susan E. Anderson Wise welcomed the group, as well, and Harbor Commission Vice President Thomas Fields, himself a small business owner, moderated the panel. On the Web A panel of trade experts addresses attendees during an export seminar hosted by the Port of Long Beach. For more information about the Port s trade activities, visit www.polb.com/trade. Page 2 Port of Long Beach Fall 2012
On July 15, WWL s MV Salome docked at Pier F, ushering in a new era of clean ships calling at the Port of Long Beach. Welcoming the World s Greenest Ships A clean ships era has dawned, and the Port of Long Beach is speeding its arrival with an initiative that rewards carriers for bringing their greenest vessels to Long Beach sooner rather than later. The Green Ship Incentive Program creates an incentive for operators to deploy today s greenest ships to our Port, and the rewards are even greater for those who bring tomorrow s greenest ships to Long Beach, said Port Executive Director J. Christopher Lytle. The Port is happy to make this investment because the greatest reward is clean air. On July 1, the Port began giving $2,500 per ship to operators who call at Long Beach with Tier 2 ships, vessels built on or after January 1, 2011, whose engines meet the highest international emissions requirements. Tier 2 vessels generate at least 15 percent less smog-forming nitrogen oxides than ships built before 2011. Tier 3 ships, which cut harmful emissions by 80 percent, will earn $6,000 per call. Although Tier 3 engines aren t required on new ships until January 1, 2016, the Port is offering the incentive now to encourage operators to procure these vessels and deploy them to Long Beach sooner. The first Tier 2 ship to qualify for the incentive was Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics MV Salome, which called at Long Beach on July 15. The Salome is a brand-new roll-on/ roll-off vessel built for ferrying large wheeled cargo such as automobiles and construction equipment. Built in Nagasaki, Japan, by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the Salome includes other cutting-edge environmental features such as a state-of-the-art hull that maximizes performance and minimizes fuel consumption, a streamlined rudder design and duck tail to further reduce resistance and the latest in ballast water treatment systems to protect against the threat of invasive species. Slowing Down for Cleaner Air Speaking of green ships, the Port s original program for cutting harmful vessel emissions is still going strong. Today, the vast majority of the nearly 5,000 ships that call at the Port of Long Beach participate in the initiative known as the Green Flag Vessel Speed Reduction Program. Launched in 2001 and expanded over time, Green Flag rewards ship operators who voluntarily slow ships to 12 knots within 20 nautical miles or 40 nautical miles of the Port. With 96 percent of the vessels in 2011 participating at 20 miles, and more than 80 percent participating at 40 miles, ships are burning far less fuel and generating fewer emissions. Over the years, the program has removed thousands of tons of pollution from the air. Port of Long Beach Fall 2012 Page 3
Design-Builders A joint venture team headed by Shimmick Construction Co. Inc., FCC Construction S.A. and Impregilo S.p.A. (SFI) Bridge Partner Agencies California Department of Transportation, Metro, Port of Long Beach and the U.S. Department of Transportation Artist rendering shows new cable-stayed bridge from the north side of Back Channel. New Bridge Will Be a Connection, and a Destination I magine being atop a 20-story building right in the harbor, with a panoramic view of the Port of Long Beach, its docks and ships, and the Pacific Ocean as far as the eye can see. That will be the vista from the new replacement bridge for the Gerald Desmond, more than 200 feet over the water. Construction is set to begin next year. The new bridge will have a separated bicycle and pedestrian path leading to an observation deck along its southern edge. In what will likely be Long Beach s most spectacular bike ride or hike, visitors will be able to rest their legs and take in the sights including Catalina Island and sunrises and sunsets over the horizon. Of course it s not all about the view. The replacement span for the Gerald Desmond Bridge, which connects downtown Long Beach and Terminal Island, will dramatically improve traffic flow over the bridge and navigation safety beneath it. The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners recently approved a design-build contract for $650 million Page 4 Port of Long Beach Fall 2012 with a consortium of engineering companies that will both engineer and construct the new structure. The new bridge will not only help modernize the Port complex, it will also help thousands of commuters who drive the span every day. The bridge is an important link between the Long Beach/Orange County area and southeastern Los Angeles County. It will take four years to complete the new bridge. Once it is opened in 2016, the old span will be torn down and its materials recycled. During construction, as drivers continue to use the existing bridge, they will see crews erect the elegant cable-stayed span with soaring main support towers that reach about 50 stories high the highest structures in Long Beach. Roadway Height Traffic Lanes Cost Features Old Bridge New Bridge 155 feet over the water 200 feet over the water 3 up and 2 down, no shoulders 3 in each direction, plus 2 safety lanes $20 million in 1968 ($132 million in 2012 dollars) $1 billion Combined bike and pedestrian path (8 feet wide) Two-lane bike path, pedestrian path (12 feet wide) and three scenic overlooks. The bridge is being paid for with a combination of federal, state, county and Port funds totaling $1 billion. As the new bridge goes up, we ll be keeping everyone posted on the bridge s progress via our website, www.newgdbridge.com. Port of Long Beach Fall 2012 Page 5
The Port s Clean Air Action Plan cut pollution from operations for the fifth year in a row, targeting sources such as ships and trains. Port Initiatives Improve Air Quality Even More In 2005, the Port of Long Beach pledged to run a clean port. It s been living up to that promise ever since with dramatic results: The 2011 Port Emissions Inventory, released August 6, shows five straight years of cleaner air, with a 75 percent reduction in diesel particulate matter since 2005. The numbers show that our clean air programs are doing their job, said Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners President Susan E. Anderson Wise. We re not done yet. With cleaner fuels, shore power and other programs, we re on track to significantly reduce harmful air emissions. Diesel particulate matter is part of a complex mixture that makes up diesel exhaust, but it is arguably the most harmful to human health. Cutting diesel particulate matter from port operations has been one of the Port s top priorities since the adoption of the Port s Clean Air Action Plan in 2006. The state of California lists diesel particulate matter as a toxic air contaminant Diesel Particulate Matter: Down Sulfur Oxides down 80 percent Nitrogen Oxides down 50 percent Greenhouse Gasses down 23 percent based on its potential to increase the risk of cancer, premature death and other health problems. The Port has also focused on reducing sulfur oxides, which are associated with respiratory problems. It has made even more dramatic progress on that front; since 2005, Port programs have led to an 80 percent reduction in those emissions. What s more, smog-forming nitrogen oxides are down 50 percent and greenhouse gases, associated with global warming, are down 23 percent since 2005. The Port Emissions Inventory is an annual report that documents the amount of air pollution from all port-related sources the privately operated ships, trucks, locomotives, harbor crafts, and cargo-handling equipment. The Port analyzes emissions from all cargo-moving equipment, and to ensure the gains are real, checks its findings with a separate calculation that accounts for increases or decreases in container volumes. Prior to their release, the results are subject to review by key air quality regulators: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the California Air Resources Board and the region s own South Coast Air Quality Management District. Page 6 Port of Long Beach Fall 2012
Beyond the Waterfront Port partnerships support key community events and activities The Port brought its own super-cool car, a refrigerated cargo container, left, pulled by a clean new truck, to display alongside the hot rods at the Second Annual Bixby Knolls Dragster Expo. Below, the Port hosted its popular Let s Talk Port community forum as part of the North Long Beach Community Assembly at Houghton Park. The Port supports many activities that make up the annual Long Beach Sea Festival, including the Annual Great Sand Sculpture Contest, above. At right, the Port s Community Outreach Team discussed sustainability and offered visitors a chance to take home potted plants during the Rose Park Bluegrass Festival. Port of Long Beach Fall 2012 Page 7
925 Harbor Plaza, P.O. Box 570, Long Beach, CA 90801 562-283-7700 www.polb.com PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LONG BEACH, CA PERMIT NO 5069 Board of Harbor Commissioners Susan E. Anderson Wise President Thomas Fields Vice President Nick Sramek Commissioner Doug Drummond Commissioner Rich Dines Commissioner 55% R E C Y C L E D SUSTAINED FOREST PAPER PRODUCT Postal Customer We want to hear from you! Please give us your feedback in a short readership survey at www.polb.com/surveys. Get the Inside Track and Take a Port Train Tour The Port is offering a behind-the-scenes look With unimaginably big machines seemingly moving in all directions at once, the Port of Long Beach is a vast, fascinating place to visit for the lucky few. This fall, the public will get a rare opportunity to journey through the Port aboard a train for a unique, insider s look at cargo-handling operations. The Port of Long Beach is offering free train tours on October 20 and 21. The one-hour, narrated tours will take visitors through areas normally off-limits to the public where they will have the opportunity to see cargo-moving operations and locomotives, cranes and other large machinery up close. The tours will depart from a special train station next to the Port Administration Building at 925 Harbor Plaza. Reservations are required, and space is limited. To make a reservation, go to www.polb.com/traintours or call 562-283-7700. Just as the Port s boat tours offer a view of cargo-handling from the water, the train tours will show land-side operations, including the rail network. Every day, as many as two dozen trains, most as long as a full mile, leave the Port with products bound for store shelves around the country, and return with U.S. goods Port Train Tours will offer a unique look at cargo-handling operations. Make your free reservation today. bound overseas. Rail service is both economically and environmentally beneficial. A train can eliminate as many as 750 truck trips, easing traffic on our overworked freeways. For the train tours, the Port is partnering with another agency that is helping to ease traffic on the freeways. The passenger cars for the tours will be provided by Metrolink, which operates Southern California s regional passenger rail system. Metrolink trains help eliminate more than half a million car trips a month. Come join us for a Port Train Tour, and get on the inside track. Sign Up Now What: Free, one-hour narrated train tours around the Port of Long Beach. When: Saturday, October 20, and Sunday, October 21. Trains depart Saturday at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Parking is free. Please arrive 30 minutes before departure. How do I sign up? Go to the Port s website: www.polb.com/traintours or call 562-283-7700. Space is limited. Reservations are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. This event is wheelchair accessible. Please note in your reservation if you will need special assistance.