The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners has approved an Option to Lease Agreement and authorised a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for a new bulk sugar facility at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal (TAMT).
California Sugar Equipment, LLC plans to build a Zucarmex sugar-handling and storage facility that would allow up to 280,000 metric tons of raw sugar to be imported into San Diego each year.
The project is intended to support both the port’s economic development goals and its clean air targets.
Ann Moore, Chair, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners, said: “Zucarmex would be the first to use only electric trucks in its operations, making our terminal not only more efficient, but also more modern and sustainable.
“It is exactly what we want from our maritime business partners. Our neighboring communities deserve projects like this that align with our priorities to improve air quality while also supporting our economy. It’s what we envisioned when we developed our Maritime Clean Air Strategy, and this is proof that it can be done.”
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Richard Eastment, Owners Representative, Zucarmex, LLC / California Sugar Equipment LLC, stated: “This lease agreement marks a transformative milestone for Zucarmex and the Port of San Diego. We are proud to lead by example as early adopters of clean energy and zero-emission technologies, delivering a facility that not only serves our business goals but also meaningfully contributes to a cleaner, more sustainable future for the San Diego community.”
Zucarmex has imported raw sugar at TAMT since 2018 without on-terminal equipment or storage, with cargo currently discharged directly from vessel to truck and transported to the company’s Otay Mesa processing facility.
That method requires a high number of truck units to clear vessels quickly. Under the proposed project, Zucarmex would spread out its truck delivery schedule, reducing the number of trucks needed and making zero-emissions trucks economically viable.
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The project includes the construction of a roughly 50,000-square-foot warehouse in the southeastern portion of TAMT.
Once complete, Zucarmex would use a bulk discharge unloader and conveyor system to move raw, bulk sugar from vessels into warehouse storage, before transporting it to Otay Mesa by electric truck rather than diesel.
The project also supports the Port’s TAMT Redevelopment Plan. Alongside the Option and CDP, the Board adopted a third addendum to the plan’s Final Environmental Impact Report.
For more information:
Port of San Diego – https://www.portofsandiego.org/
