The Port of San Diego in the US state of California has celebrated the start of a $24 million public works project that will modernize its Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.
The ‘Modernization’ project will remove two obsolete warehouses and create much-needed laydown area for larger project cargo.
It will also include improvements to utilities, with new lighting as well as on-dock rail improvements.
The port successfully competed for a $10 million TIGER grant from the US Department of Transportation to help fund the first phase of the Modernization.
It will match the grant with a $14 million contribution.
The Modernization is the first phase of a larger, market-driven project that supports the Port of San Diego’s specialty cargo advantage by providing laydown space and flexibility for each cargo type.
Port of San Diego Chairman Rafael Castellanos (pictured above) said: “The timing is right for this project as the Port of San Diego is poised for additional growth in the Blue Economy.
“We are the fourth largest port in the state and this project will allow the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal to handle up to 4.6 million metric tons of cargo annually and create many great jobs, while protecting the environment by incorporating smart technology to reduce pollution.”
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The long-term redevelopment plan envisions three distinct cargo nodes within the existing footprint of the terminal and is focused on project and break-bulk cargo, refrigerated containers and dry bulk cargo.
Based on identified cargo volume increases and other triggers, the project will also facilitate implementation of the long-term redevelopment plan that includes innovative technologies to help safeguard the environment around the terminal.
Zero and near-zero emission freight equipment will be implemented at the terminal over the next 20 years and an emission-capturing bonnet system is planned to capture harmful pollutants for vessels that are unable to use shore power while at berth.
US Representative Scott Peters said: “America’s ports are pillars of the US supply chain and here in San Diego, our port is our gateway to the rest of the world.
“As a former Chairman of San Diego’s Port Commission, I know just how important the Port of San Diego’s modernization of the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal is to our efficiency.
“We worked to secure $10 million from the TIGER Grant program for these planned upgrades and today, we break ground on this long-awaited project that will create jobs, improve operation efficiency, and help to grow our region’s economy
“This project is a great example of how the federal government is investing in ports and San Diego’s maritime industry to increase our global competitiveness and provide for our national defense.”
