Issue link: https://pma.uberflip.com/i/1101484
Operations at Yusen Terminals at the Port of Los Angeles. 2018 | The Year in Review 2018 | The Year in Review 17 p a c i f i c M a r i t i M e a s s o c i a t i o n the coast, vessels are growing reliant on plugging into the on-dock electrical grid while in port – another trend that impacts manning, safety, and training. Terminal Automation The push for environmental sustainability at West Coast ports is also one of the driving forces behind the advancement of terminal automation, which reduces or eliminates the role of diesel-powered cargo-handling equipment in favor of electric or battery-powered alternatives. The CAAP and equivalent plans will likely jumpstart more automation projects, as automated terminals can best accommodate zero-emission equipment in the yards. Terminal automation is clearly addressed in the Pacific Coast Longshore Contract Document between PMA and the ILWU – providing terminal operators and carriers the ability to modernize their facilities according to a clearly defined process. As automation expands, PMA will continue to address its impact on the ILWU workforce, including how best to re- train longshore workers for the maintenance and repair jobs that automation brings with it. Industry Consolidation Finally, adjusting to changes in the global shipping industry and its trend toward consolidation will be important looking ahead. Fewer companies with larger fleets are playing an increasing role on the West Coast waterfront. As Bloomberg News has noted, "container ships that transport sneakers, bananas and Barbie dolls around the world keep getting bigger. So are the companies that own them." The Past Paves the Way to the Future History shows countless examples of the West Coast waterfront leading the way in adapting to changing times. In the 1950s and 1960s, we led the transition from break bulk to the era of containerization. In the early 2000s, we negotiated some of the industry's most important technology and automation provisions. And in recent years, West Coast ports have worked within an aggressive environmental framework while achieving record-setting volumes. Looking ahead, PMA and our member companies will play a lead role as the industry makes wide-ranging investments to prepare for the future. Whether it is the addition of larger and higher-tech cranes, terminal automation, extended gate hours, the addition of on- dock rail or additional worker training, PMA and its member companies are taking the necessary steps to facilitate the productive movement of cargo during uncertain times ahead. In sum, we will manage through a rapidly changing environment now in the same way that we have in the past, maintaining focus on the core characteristics that make for a strong West Coast waterfront: innovation, productivity, reliability, and a skilled and trained workforce. With those pieces in place, we will continue to prove that ports in California, Oregon and Washington can deliver the certainty that shippers demand of world-class ports – and we will achieve the lasting gains in jobs and economic activity that come with it. 17 p a c i f i c M a r i t i M e a s s o c i a t i o n