Facilities: Hueneme, Kalama, Miami

The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) recently approved $1.7 million in federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds to support the Port of Hueneme’s shoreside electrification power project. The Port of Kalama commission voted earlier this month to award a $4.5 million contract for the construction of a new facility designed to preserve the port’s historic legacy and house its administrative offices. A heavy-lift ship carrying four brand new super post-Panamax cranes arrived at PortMiami the afternoon of October 7 after a 60-day voyage from China.

Hueneme Shore Power Project to Receive $1.7 million in CMAQ Funds

The state of the art infrastructure system will enable ocean going vessels to plug in at berth and operate emission free while in port. Other funding sources for the $13.6 million project include $7.2 million from the port, $4.5 million the California Air Resources Board and $250,000 from the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD).

According to data cited by the port, shore power over the lifetime of the project will dramatically cut pollutants from vessel emissions – particle matter (PM) by 92 percent, nitrous oxides by 98 percent and greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide) by 55 percent. Furthermore, says the port, shore power will benefit shippers, truckers, terminal operators, dock workers, and regional and national transportation systems by extending the useful life of existing wharves for up to 30 years.

"The partnership of VCTC and the port bodes incredibly well for the county’s future as leaders in transportation," said Port CEO Kristin Decas. "Collectively, we more strategically align the county’s transportation system with the emerging state and national freight planning processes, as well increase our overall competitiveness in international trade."

Kalama to Break Ground on New Administrative Building and Transportation Interpretive Center

The Port of Kalam a commission voted earlier this month to award a $4.5 million contract for the construction of a new facility designed to preserve the port’s historic legacy and house its administrative offices. Construction will begin shortly and take about a year to complete.

The Transportation Interpretive Center, which will focus on the area’s history as a regional commercial and transportation hub, will resemble a traditional waterfront warehouse of the 1800s. Cultural artifacts, memorabilia and replicas of the past will pose life-sized within its walls and bring history alive for visitors. The building also affords the port an opportunity to expand into facilities that will enable staff to manage future development projects.

"Kalama has a rich history, and the Interpretive Center will illuminate historically how transportation has helped position the port as a contributor to the local economy, and how our roots have created what we are today," said Port Commission President Troy Stariha. "In addition, with growing business opportunities and development, the port has outgrown its current facilities. A new administrative office enables us to provide even more efficient services to our port businesses, and the Interpretive Center offers the community and visitors a quality destination to explore."

The future Kalama Port Administration Building.

Source/Port of Kalama

Miami Takes Delivery of Four Super Post-Panamax Cranes

A heavy-lift ship carrying four brand new super post-Panamax cranes arrived at PortMiami the afternoon of October 7 after a 60-day voyage from China.

With an outreach of 223 feet, the cranes can service cargo vessels up to 22 containers wide (versus the 13-container span of the port’s older and smaller cranes) – ships with containers stacked nine high on deck and 11 high below. The cranes are fully electric and equipped with control systems to record all crane activity.

Their delivery gives PortMiami a total of 13 gantry cranes, six of them super post-Panamaxers able to work ultra large container ships with more than triple the capacity of the 3,000- to 4,000-TEU vessels the port typically handles at present.

"The new cranes increase PortMiami’s loading and unloading efficiencies," said PortMiami Director Bill Johnson. "We set an ambitious goal to double our cargo traffic over the next several years – the new cranes are an important component in our growth strategy."

The new cranes are among $2 billion in capital improvements underway at PortMiami. Others include the deepening of the port’s main channel to 50 feet, new on-dock rail and the port tunnel.

Heavy-lift ship arriving at Miami with the port’s four new super post-Panamax gantry container cranes.

Photos/Rafael Diaz-Balart, AAPA