Pacific Maritime Association

THE YEAR IN REVIEW Regional Developments: Northern California L ike much of the West Coast, Northern California���s ports saw modest growth in total cargo volume in 2012. Port authorities and operators continued to invest in infrastructure and training programs for the growing workforce to respond to expanded activity on the waterfront. Infrastructure Updates New construction at Northern California���s ports in 2012 focused primarily on accommodating the industry���s new super-sized vessels, which can now reach a quarter of a mile in length. The TraPac terminal at the Port of Oakland raised two of its cranes by 20 feet to service these larger container ships, with one more crane scheduled to receive similar updates in 2013. The Port of Oakland obtained federal security grant funding for several projects in 2012, including an expansion of its security system to enhance its emergency notification system, as well as additions to the port���s fiber optic communications network to enhance its intrusion detection system. Finally, the Outer Harbor Intermodal Terminal Rail Access project, which received a $15 million TIGER grant in June 2012, has the potential to expand the railway network at the port to increase capacity for rail transport to and from the interior, which is key for growth in agricultural exports. It will also provide access to the site for the proposed Oakland Army Base development. Registration And Training The local workforce on the waterfront in Northern California is continuing to grow and training programs have expanded as well. In the past year, 80 new longshoremen were registered in the Bay Area, enabling employers to expand skills training to service container operations. These new workers 26 2012 ANNUAL REPORT Metro Ports discharges America���s Cup boats at the Port of San Francisco���s Pier 80 Omni Terminal. have received training in semi-tractors and lift/truck operations. Employees at the ports of Stockton and West Sacramento received training for operating the ports��� new oversized cranes, conducted by Liebherr and the PMA. Twenty-three clerk supervisors and six foremen were promoted in total over the course of the year, and additional part-time ���casual��� workers were added to the labor workforce. The casual processing process that began in late 2011 picked up speed in 2012, with nearly 300 casual workers added in total throughout the Northern California ports. Niche Cargo Northern California ports continued to play a critical role in the national automobile industry throughout 2012. The Port of Benicia, the Northern California hub for Ford, Chrysler and Toyota, saw the number of autos arriving at the docks increase to 98,000 vehicles and anticipates further increases in auto cargo volume during the year to come. In March, the Port of Benicia���s autoprocessing facility, AMPORTS, began performing the final assembly of a new line of all-electric vehicles manufactured by Southern California-based CODA Automotive. The Port of Stockton completed a $1.2 million rail project in March, adding 5,825 feet of new rail track and allowing the facility to double its volume of iron ore and coal exports to approximately 2 million tons per year. The new track enables the port to handle six ore or coal trains a week, up from the past capacity of three. The bulk-unit trains deliver iron ore and coal to the port for shipment to China. San Francisco Cruise Terminal Development The Port of San Francisco saw a sizeable increase in the number of cruise ship calls in the past year, maintaining its reputation as one of the coast���s leading ports of call for cruises. The port is halfway through the construction of a new state-of-the-art international cruise terminal on Pier 27 that will be able to receive up to 80 cruise calls annually. In December, the Port of San Francisco hosted the America���s Cup World Series as a precursor to the America���s Cup Finals, one of the world���s premier sailing events, which will also take place in San Francisco in 2013.

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