AFTER undergoing major modernisation projects across the harbour, the Port of Long Beach enters 2017 in excellent financial health, an industry-leading record of environmental progress, and a strong commitment to working with the city and neighbours.
This was the message conveyed by Long Beach's Harbour Department leaders at the annual "State of the Port" event attended by about 300 industry stakeholders, civic leaders and community members who were also told about the port's plans to enhance its rail network and other efficiencies to pursue competitiveness in the year ahead.
Despite a 2016 that took the shipping industry and the port into some rough seas, the Port of Long Beach responded to the challenges, staying on course and providing world-class service, building the most advanced facilities in North America and maintaining one of the best credit ratings for any US seaport, a port statement said.
Board of Harbour Commissioners president Lori Ann Guzman set the stage for the address laying out the port's goals in 2017 for increasing sustainability, financial strength and market share.
"This past year, members of the Harbour Commission worked together on the Port's Strategic Plan - identifying course corrections, quantifying our key goals, and ensuring we have the resources available to achieve the port's critical mission," Ms Guzman told attendees. "Our top priority is your long-term prosperity, and the best way to accomplish this is through our updated Strategic Plan."
Interim chief executive Duane Kenagy noted that last year the port hosted the christening of the biggest vessel to visit North America, opened the first phase of the highly advanced Pier E terminal, and constructed the early stages of the massive span that will eventually replace the Gerald Desmond Bridge.
"We saw mergers, changing alliances, and even bankruptcies, and now we face uncertain trade policies. It is clear - only the most efficient and strongest will survive," Mr Kenagy said.
He expressed confidence that the Port of Long Beach will thrive with an aggressive and well-financed programme to reinvest in its infrastructure, a highly trained and productive labour force, an impressive record of ecological improvements and shipping line partners that are stepping up to fill in where another left off.