Long Beach celebrates start of $1.2 billion Middle Harbor project

16 May 2012 - Ports, Los Angeles / Long Beach, PTI Multimedia

The redeveloped Middle Harbour container terminal (pictured) is scheduled for completion in 2021. Image: Charles Csavossy | Wikimedia Commons

• Long Beach officials kick off US$1.2 Billion terminal modernization

The Port of Long Beach celebrated the start of its $1.2 billion Middle Harbor project this week, which the port and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) say will become the most advanced automated terminal in all of North America.

Marking the occasion with the driving of a commemorative “golden pile”, part of the foundation for a new wharf, officials heralded the progress of the project.

“What we speak of today is a collective vision, a vision to make the Port of Long Beach one of the world's most competitive ports,” said Philip Chow, CEO of OOCL.

The event to kick off the construction of the Middle Harbor project also included a ceremonial lease signing between the port and OOCL.

Last month, OOCL, the Hong Kong-based shipping company, and the Port of Long Beach reached agreement on a 40-year, $4.6 billion lease for the Middle Harbor container terminal.

“We're pleased to have OOCL and Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT) committed to working with us in Long Beach to make the new, state-of-the-art Middle Harbor terminal a reality, and for staking their business future to the Port of Long Beach and the City of Long Beach,” said Long Beach Mayor, Bob Foster.

“We’re building the Port of the Future here in Long Beach, and we are extremely pleased to know that OOCL and LBCT will be our partners in that future,” added Harbor Commission President, Susan E. Anderson Wise.

The $1.2 billion redevelopment of the Middle Harbor terminal will see the integration of both Pier’s F and E into one container terminal.

LBCT and OOCL will also provide an additional $500 million to supply the 305-acre site with the latest terminal handling equipment.

“The new design will make the Middle Harbor terminal the greenest in North America,” added Chow.

The terminal, expected to be completed by 2021, will boast an annual capacity of $3.1 million TEU and will provide the region with up to 14,000 jobs and.

LBCT, a subsidiary of OOCL and the occupier of Pier F for over twenty years, will be responsible for the operation of newly developed terminal.

Video courtesy of the Port of Long Beach