Issue link: https://pma.uberflip.com/i/277369
25 A $1 billion replacement project for the Port of Long Beach's Gerald Desmond Bridge is also underway. This six lane, 200-foot bridge will be able to accommodate larger ships that pass underneath it, along with the mix of truck drivers and commuters that have driven over it for more than five decades. The project is expected to be complete by 2016. Strong Business Management Leads to Steady Registration With cargo volumes rising slightly, PMA sought to ensure that suffi- cient labor could be provided to the industry without adding unnecessarily to the permanent workforce. As a result, registration of new workers was limited in 2013, though membership in the workforce has risen significantly during the past decade. At the same time, PMA and the ILWU concluded the 2004 casual hiring process, which has added flexibility by bringing in additional part-time workers who can augment the existing workforce at times of high demand. Roughly 500 part-time casual workers were added in 2013. As a result, PMA and the ILWU can now begin a new list of potential workers, thus ensuring that the industry will have the labor force it needs moving forward. Port Hueneme and Port of San Diego The Port of San Diego continues to handle dry bulks such as cement, sand, con- tainerized fruit and windmill products headed to wind farms in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. In an auto- motive milestone, the port received its first shipment of imported vehicles from Italian car-maker Fiat, which uses three North American import hubs. Fiat plans to send 40,000 autos through San Diego each year. Port Hueneme enjoyed the best cargo year in its history, supported by imports and exports in produce (Del Monte, Chiquita), automobiles (Hyundai, Kia), fertilizer, fish and petroleum products. Further, the port extended its lease with Del Monte, which has imported fruits such as bananas and melons there since 1979. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are investing heavily to meet future cargo demand Southern California – continued 25 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 San Diego celebrates the arrival of its first shipment of Fiats. T H E Y E A R I N R E V I E W