The Long Beach of Harbour Commissioners has approved a new sublease agreement with Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) to provide the company with a marine terminal for its West Coast rocket recovery operations.
SpaceX took over part of a waterfront, wharf-equipped Long Beach facility on 1 May. The site was previously owned by Sea Launch, a commercial satellite launching company that had been based at the Port for 20 years.
Long Beach Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna said, “We’re extremely pleased to reach an agreement that will bring Space Exploration Technologies Corp. to the Port of Long Beach. This pact will benefit both parties.”
Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach, also commented, “This is a good fit for the Port, as we offer the industry-leading facilities and services that are perfectly suited to SpaceX’s mission.
“I would like to commend our Port team, especially our Real Estate division, for developing this agreement with SpaceX.”
SpaceX will occupy about 6.5 acres on the Port’s Pier T, which was once the site of a U.S. Navy complex. The Hawthorne, Calif.-based company will utilize the site’s existing wharf to dock its vessels and offload equipment.
As part of its goal to foster economic activity to the region, the Port has been actively looking for a new tenant since Sea Launch departed in February 2020.
