Port of Long Beach

“At the end of this decade, the Port of Long Beach will be on the cusp of not only operational transformation given our rail investment, but also environmental transformation—to a zero-emission port,” CEO Mario Cordero said during his seventh annual “State of the Port” address. (POLB Photograph)

Watch: POLB Prepares for ‘Year of Rail’

Port of Long Beach (POLB) CEO Mario Cordero on Jan. 17 gave a “State of the Port” address, highlighting rail facility modernization and air quality improvement efforts that will continue through 2024, as well as 2023’s cargo volume statistics.

“The good news is that global trade is now edging up and we are looking forward to a return to more normal cargo volume levels in the year ahead,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said during his Jan. 10 “State of the Port” address.

Intermodal Briefs: Port of LA, Trigon

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka outlines plans for 2024 in his “State of the Port” address. Also, Trigon Pacific Terminals Ltd. (Trigon) initiates the regulatory review process for its planned Canadian LPG export project.

From Left to Right: Tina Beckberger, Chief Commercial Officer, AITX; Earl James, Jr., Global Regulatory & IPMT partner, Hogan Lovells; Jodi Heath, Vice President, Business Development, INRD; and MxV President and CEO Kari Gonzales, LRW's 2023 Railway Woman of the Year.
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People News: AITX, Hogan Lovells, INRD, POLB, Sound Transit, LRW

AITX appoints Tina Beckberger as Chief Commercial Officer. Also, Earl Adams, Jr., joins Hogan Lovells’ Transportation Practice as a Global Regulatory & IPMT partner; Jodi Heath joins the Indiana Rail Road Company (INRD) as Vice President, Business Development; the Port of Long Beach (POLB) appoints two division directors; Sound Transit considers Goran Sparrman for interim CEO; and the League of Railway Women (LRW) names MxV Rail President and CEO Kari Gonzales the 2023 Railway Woman of the Year.

“While rail bridge closures at Eagle Pass and El Paso affect approximately 45% of UP’s cross-border business, we expect the impact on overall volumes to be minimal due to quick resolution of activity,” TD Cowen analysts report. (Union Pacific Photograph)
Commentary

TD Cowen’s 2024 Rail Preview

We modestly lower our fourth-quarter 2023 estimates on mix pressures that are likely to be somewhat mitigated by fuel tailwinds. Intermodal recovery comes at the price of yield given the protracted over-the-road (OTR) rate trough. A revenue per carload rebound is likely a late-2024 story, at best. First-quarter 2024 should see typical seasonal softening, which is well understood as the focus shifts to recovery. We favor Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) in 2024 on margin recovery prospects.

Aerial view of Pier B. (Port of Long Beach Photograph)

Intermodal Briefs: POLB, ITS Logistics

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awards the Port of Long Beach (POLB) $283 million for its Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility project. Also, ITS Logistics releases its December forecast.

Heidi Peterson, COO, American Seating
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People News: American Seating, IANA

American Seating appoints Heidi Peterson as Chief Operating Officer. Also, the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) elects its 2024 Board of Directors and Officers.

From Left to Right: Robert Orlin, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, STV; Clint Herrera, Director of Engineering Design, POLB; and Khristina Jason, Director of Human Resources, POLB.
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People News: STV, SANDAG, POLB, Sound Transit

STV hires Robert Orlin as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel. Also, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Board of Directors appoints Deputy CEO Coleen Clementson to Interim CEO; the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners approves the appointments of new directors for the Port of Long Beach’s (POLB) Human Resources and Engineering Design divisions; and Sound Transit’s CEO Julie Timm announces resignation.

Aerial view of Pier B, courtesy of Port of Long Beach.

2024: A ‘Pivotal Year’ for POLB’s Pier B Rail Facility

The Port of Long Beach (POLB) on Nov. 29 announced that after more than 15 years of planning, it is going out to bid in early 2024 for its first construction contract to begin building the $1.567 billion Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility, which will be built in phases with the final segment due to be completed in 2032.