Construction is under way at Middle Harbor, combining two aging container terminals into one of the world's most technologically advanced and greenest facilities. The project will double capacity and support 14,000 new jobs — while cutting air pollution in half.
Project Update
The Port of Long Beach has signed a 40-year, $4.6 billion lease with Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) for the Middle Harbor property, in the largest deal of its kind for any U.S. seaport. Read the story below or click here.
Phase 1 is well under way. Landfill for part of a new wharf is in placeand concrete piles to support the wharf deck are being sunk. Crews are also at work on the wharf's electrical infrastructure, which will eventually power cranes and allow ships at berth to plug into the power grid instead of burning diesel to make electricity.
In October, dredging work was completed in the Main Channel all the way into the Middle Harbor and East Basin, improving access for oil tankers and creating one of the deepest harbors among U.S. seaports. The deeper, wider channel and basin also provide additional, safer access for the world’s largest container ships to call in Long Beach.
Video Updates
The nine-year, $1.2 billion project will upgrade wharfs, water access and storage areas, as well as add a greatly expanded on-dock rail yard. The project will cut air pollution and add thousands of jobs to the economy. Project construction started in spring 2011 on Phase 1, Stage 1 of the project.
Project Highlights
Rehabilitate and modernize aging infrastructure at Piers E and F to meet business and consumer trade demands
Dramatically reduce air pollution and health risks as new equipment and efficiencies are built into the terminal
Create about 14,000 permanent jobs in Southern California
Generate 1,000 temporary construction jobs a year during the next nine years
Implement aggressive environmental measures of the the Green Port Policy and San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan
Reduce traffic impacts through increased use of on-dock rail
Phase 1 construction:
Renovate the existing Pier E container terminal
Widen and deepen Slip 3
Fill 22 acres of Slip 1
To access the Project Labor Agreement for Phase I, click here
Phase 2 improvements:
Connect the Pier E terminal to the Pier F container terminal by filling an additional 40 acres
Expand the on-dock rail yard from 10,000 linear feet to 75,000
From the existing 294 acres, the project will create one consolidated 304-acre container terminal, which includes 55 acres of newly created land
Environmental Protection
In keeping with the Port's Green Port Policy and the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan, the project will minimize or eliminate negative environmental impacts from shipping operations. To improve air quality and reduce environmental impacts, the Project includes:
Shore power for ships
Expanded on-dock rail to shift more than 30 percent of the cargo shipments from trucks to trains
Cleaner yard equipment
Electric rail-mounted gantry (RMG) cranes
Green Flag Vessel Speed Reduction program requirements
Use of low-sulfur fuels for ships' main and auxiliary engines
"Green building" (LEED) environmental standards
Storm water pollution prevention
Solar panels
Reuse or recycle waste materials such as concrete, steel, copper, and other materials during construction
Approval
After extensive environmental review and public participation, the Board of Harbor Commissioners approved the project's EIR in April 2009. The Long Beach City Council upheld the Board's decision in May 2009.
Port of Long Beach Executive Director J. Christopher Lytle and Orient Overseas Container Line CEO Phillip Chow signed a $4.6 billion, 40-year lease for the new Middle Harbor container terminal at a ceremony at OOCL’s Hong Kong headquarters on Tuesday, April 3. More...
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners gave preliminary approval Monday to a 40-year, $4.6 billion lease with Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) for the Middle Harbor property, clearing the way for a final vote on the largest deal of its kind for any U.S. seaport. More...
The Port of Long Beach has reached a tentative agreement on a 40-year, $4.6 billion lease with Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) for the Middle Harbor property, in what would be the largest deal of its kind for any U.S. seaport, Port of Long Beach Executive Director J. Christopher Lytle announced Thursday. More...
