Port Briefs: Sister Ports Host Sustainability Conference; POLA’s May Cargo; POLB’s Cordero Appointment

Los Angeles, Nagoya Sister Ports Host Second Annual Sustainability Conference

SAN PEDRO — Officials from the Port of Los Angeles and Port Authority of Nagoya, Japan, convened a virtual conference the week of June 13 to discuss collaboration on environmental and digital project priorities in line with a cooperative agreement the two ports forged in March 2020. The focus points of that agreement are collaboration and information sharing on initiatives related to environmental sustainability and operational efficiencies.

The Second Anniversary Virtual Environmental and Operational Efficiency Conference kicked off with remarks from Mr. Seroka, Mr. Kamata, Mr. Akira Muto, consul general of Japan Consulate General in Los Angeles, and Mr. Matthew Cenzer, principal officer, consulate of the U.S. in Nagoya. 

The L.A.-Nagoya 2020 Agreement established more formal cooperation and exchange of information between the two ports on topics, including port community systems and end-to-end supply chain information sharing platforms; development and deployment of zero-emission vehicles and equipment; and other activities connecting science, industry and start-ups that could contribute to both ports’ efficiency and environmental priorities.

The Los Angeles and Nagoya Sister City Affiliation began as a part of President Eisenhower’s Citizens’ International Exchange Program in 1959, with its primary goal to foster mutual understanding between the people of Los Angeles and Nagoya through cultural, educational and people-to-people exchange activities. 

Details: www.portoflosangeles.org/nagoya_agreement 

Port of Los Angeles May Cargo Third Best Month on Record

SAN PEDRO — The Port of Los Angeles processed 967,900 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in May, the third best overall month in its 115-year history. Five months into 2022, the port has processed more than 4.5 million TEUs, equal to last year’s record-setting pace.

May’s 967,900 TEUs rank only behind May 2021 and October 2020 at the Port of Los Angeles.

May 2022 loaded imports reached 499,960 TEUs compared to the previous year, a decrease of 6.8% but 21% higher than the previous five-year May average.

Loaded exports came in at 125,656 TEUs, a 14.4% increase compared to the same period last year. May marked the highest level of exports processed at the Port of Los Angeles since November 2020.

Empty containers reached 342,285 TEUs, down 6.6% compared to last year. 

Details: www.youtube.com/watch?cargo-news-briefing 

Cordero Appointed to Federal Transportation Advisory Panel

LONG BEACH — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has appointed Port of Long Beach executive director Mario Cordero to the Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee, which advises the secretary on strategies to improve the readiness and resiliency of the U.S. supply chain.

The committee is made up of leaders from commercial transportation firms, trade associations, state and local public entities, labor organizations, academia and environmental groups.

Cordero, who has led the Port of Long Beach since 2017, will continue in his role at the port.