New Executives Named/Measures to Speed Cargo

Two Executives Named at Port of Long Beach

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners Sept. 20, selected two leaders in the Commercial Operations Bureau at the Port of Long Beach.

Samantha Galltin was appointed managing director of the Commercial Operations Bureau, comprising the business development, tenant services and operations, and security services divisions. She replaces Kenneth W. Duncan, who left the port earlier in 2021.

Carlo Luzzi, who has served the port for more than 30 years, was appointed acting director of tenant services and operations. He replaces Glenn Farren, who left the port earlier this month. The port is beginning a recruiting process for the role.

San Pedro Bay Ports Announce New Measures to Speed Cargo Throughput

The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles announced Sept. 17,  new measures to improve freight movement and reduce delays through the ports. These measures will enhance the ports’ operations to help meet the unprecedented growth in cargo volume moving through the San Pedro Bay. 

Both ports will expand the hours during which trucks can pick up and return containers. Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach, announced that Long Beach will take the first step towards a 24/7 supply chain by maximizing nighttime operations. Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka announced that the Port of Los Angeles will expand weekend operating gate hours. Named “Accelerate Cargo LA,” the Port of Los Angeles’ program will operate on a pilot basis to ensure that gate availability meets cargo demands and provides greater transparency to improve efficiency. In addition, both ports have called on marine terminal operators to incentivize the use of all available gate hours, especially night gates, to reduce congestion and maximize cargo throughput capacity.

The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles will work with the trucking community to ensure that all truck operators understand how to take advantage of incentivized gate hours as well as the expanded opportunities that will be created to move cargo during non-peak times. In addition, the ports urge terminals and the trucking community to consider other corrective measures.

August Cargo Volume Exceeds 954,000 TEUs at POLA

SAN PEDRO — With a steady amount of cargo streaming through the Port of Los Angeles, in August, the port processed 954,377 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), just under last August’s record of 961,833 TEUs.

Eight months into the 2021 calendar year, overall cargo volume is 7,273,053 TEUs, an increase of 30% compared to 2020.

Seroka said to better manage this record cargo, the Port of Los Angeles is co-hosting roundtable discussions with dozens of public and private stakeholders.

August 2021 loaded imports reached 485,672 TEUs, a decrease of 6% compared to the previous year, when American retailers ramped up orders to restock low inventory. Loaded exports decreased 23% to 101,292 TEUs compared to the same period last year.

Empty containers climbed to 367,413 TEUs, a jump of 17% compared to last year due to the continued demand in Asia. It was the highest number of empty containers the Port has handled in a single month, eclipsing the 361,359 TEUs processed in May 2021.

Details: www.youtube.com/watch?/BRIEFING-WITH-GENE SEROKA-and-ED-DESMOND