Pacific Maritime Association

Registrations and Training Continue Despite Pandemic Challenges In Southern California, like the rest of the West Coast, PMA training programs were put on hold as the pandemic took hold. Months later, with safety protocols in place, PMA resumed training efforts to help address the sustained tidal wave of cargo flowing through Southern California. The resumption of training presented unique challenges. To help address terminal congestion and an elevated demand for transtainer operators, the PMA and ILWU Local 13 agreed to an Expedited Crane Training Program that trained 125 new operators in less than 90 days. New Bridge at Port of Long Beach Allows for Larger Cargo Ships, Boosts Competitiveness The Port of Long Beach unveiled a new cable-stayed bridge that can service the largest cargo ships in the world, boosting competitiveness for the nation's third largest port. The 205-foot-tall structure replaces the five-decade-old Gerald Desmond Bridge, which was 50 feet shorter and unable to accommodate the world's largest ships. With six traffic lanes in each direction, the new bridge is also wider than its predecessor, which only had four lanes. After nearly 20 years of planning, the $1.47 billion project took seven years to complete. New Clean Air Equipment Introduced at Long Beach As part of ongoing efforts to expand environmental initiatives, the ITS terminal at the Port of Long Beach introduced seven BYD battery-electric yard tractors for one year. Diesel-powered yard tractors, which are traditionally used, are less environmentally friendly. The equipment comes, in part, courtesy of a $9.7 million grant by the California Energy Commission. The new Gerald Desmond Bridge at the Port of Long Beach makes its debut. 2020 | THE YEAR IN REVIEW TraPac Terminal at the Port of Los Angeles. 27 27 PACIFIC MARITIME ASSOCIATION

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