Port of Long Beach Set to Open 'Greenest' Container Terminal March 11

Middle Harbor eventually will have the capacity to handle 3.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units annually. "LBCT is committed to ushering in this new era the right way," said President Anthony Otto. "This includes our investment in all zero-emissions cargo handling equipment and comprehensive training."

The gates of Long Beach Container Terminal's Pier E will open March 11 for the first time, processing empty containers at what the Port of Long Beach calls the world's greenest marine container terminal. It is the first half of the California port's $1.3 billion Middle Harbor modernization project. After two months of phasing in export deliveries, import pickups, and rail operations at the terminal, it will be fully operational in May. "This represents a critical first step in ramping up for full commercial operations at Pier E," Port CEO Jon Slangerup said recently. "We're working closely with LBCT and all our industry partners to ensure a safe, smooth transition."

Middle Harbor eventually will have the capacity to handle 3.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually. "LBCT is committed to ushering in this new era the right way," said LBCT President Anthony Otto. "This includes our investment in all zero-emissions cargo handling equipment and comprehensive training."

Along with the redevelopment project, the port has committed to spend more than $4 billion over a decade to upgrade marine terminals, roadways, bridges, and the port's rail network throughout the port, including replacing the Gerald Desmond Bridge at a cost of $1.5 billion. Duane Kenagy, Capital Programs senior executive lead for the port, said it has been important to ensure trucks serving the terminal can navigated through the bridge construction area. "Ensuring the trucking community knows where to safely enter and exit the new terminal is a top priority for us all," he said.

Middle Harbor is scheduled for completion in 2019