Long Beach to Up Capacity, Cut Pollution

The Port of Long Beach is ready to increase marine terminal capacity while reducing pollution, according to the just released final environmental impact statement on the proposed $750 million Middle Harbor redevelopment project.

The Long Beach Harbor Commission on April 13 is scheduled to vote on the final EIR. The Middle Harbor project will develop in two phases over 10 years. It will combine two irregularly-shaped container terminals and combine them into one large rectangular facility.

At present, the two facilities operated by Long Beach Container Terminal and California United Terminals total 294 acres. LBCT, the Orient Overseas Container Line terminal, has a small on-dock rail yard. CUT, operated by Hyundai Merchant Marine, does not have an intermodal rail yard.

The plan calls for landfill projects that will add 54 acres and turn the site into a large rectangle, a shape more conducive to modern cargo-handling techniques. The container terminal upon completion will total 345 acres and include a larger, more functional on-dock rail yard.

Diesel emission will be reduced by 50 percent through a series of environmental measures. All vessels will be required to operate at berth from shore-side electrical power. Vessels will have to use low-sulfur fuel in their main and auxiliary engines as they transit to and from berth.

Long Beach will require lower-emission switching locomotives, alternative-fuel cargo-handling equipment and compliance with the port's voluntary speed reduction program. Buildings on the site must comply with modern green requirements for energy reduction and the use of recycled materials during construction.

It has been more than seven years since Long Beach launched a large marine terminal construction project. The port will also seek environmental approval for construction of a new container terminal on a vacant site at Pier S, and replacement of a heavily-used bridge in the harbor.