Aerial view of the San Pedro Bay Port Complex in California. (Photograph Courtesy of Port of Los Angeles)

Intermodal Briefs: Port of Los Angeles, SC ports

The Port of Los Angeles finishes 2023 with five months of year-over-year growth. Also, South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) gives the Midlands region a big economic boost, according to a recent report.

“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.

Chris Brown, Chief Harbor Engineer, Port of Los Angeles, Calif.

People News: STB, Port of LA

Surface Transportation Board (STB) General Counsel Craig M. Keats retires after 51 years of public service. Also, the Port of Los Angeles, Calif., elevates Chris Brown to Chief Harbor Engineer, overseeing the Engineering Division.

“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.

Screenshot Courtesy of SC Ports, via YouTube

Intermodal Briefs: SC Ports, Port of Los Angeles

Construction is under way at South Carolina Port Authority’s (SC Ports) Navy Base Intermodal Facility. Also, the Port of Los Angeles’ Alameda Corridor Terminus Gap Closure project is recognized as a top regional transportation improvement project by the American Public Works Association Southern California Chapter.

Ports of Indiana photo

Intermodal Briefs: Ports of Indiana/MG Rail, Port of Los Angeles, POLB, Saguenay Port Authority

Ports of Indiana and MG Rail complete $1.1 million in road and rail improvements at Jeffersonville Port. Also, November cargo volume increases at Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach (POLB); and the Saguenay Port Authority receives $111.1 million to support conveyor planning.

Port of Long Beach photo

Cargo Volume Rises at Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach

The Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach recently reported that cargo volume in October has increased compared to the previous year.

Port of Los Angeles: Cargo Volume Increases Again in September

The Port of Los Angeles reported handling 748,440 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in September, a 5.4% improvement compared to the same period last year.

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson is flanked by City Councilmember Mary Zendejas, Vice Mayor Cindy Allen, Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero, Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners Vice President Bonnie Lowenthal, and port, city and labor officials at an event to discuss the ARCHES hydrogen grant on Oct. 13. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of Port of Long Beach)

California Selected as a National Hydrogen Hub

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded a grant of up to $1.2 billion to ARCHES LLC (Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems), a public-private partnership formed to lead California’s

“We anticipated a modest peak season as our cargo numbers continue to stabilize at pre-pandemic levels,” Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero said during a Sept. 13 announcement of August 2023 volumes (POLB Photograph)

Intermodal Briefs: POLB, Port of LA, UIPA (Updated Sept. 15)

Overstocked warehouses and a consumer spending shift contributed to an August “cargo lull” at the Port of Long Beach (POLB), Calif. Also, August was a “solid month” for the Port of Los Angeles, with imports and exports increasing; and the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) is establishing the Central Utah Agri-Park Project Area.

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