China Shipping celebrates terminal expansion in Los Angeles

China Shipping, which operates the West Basin Container Terminal in the Port of Los Angeles, has completed a US$47.6m terminal expansion project that has added 925 foot (282 m) of berth space, 18 additional acres of backland and four state-of-the art container cranes that will increase cargo throughput create jobs and reduce air emissions.


Handling cargo operations for the China Shipping, Yang Ming, K-Line, Cosco, Hanjin, Sinotrans and Zim shipping lines, the terminal now comprises has 2,125 feet of berth equipped with eight super post-Panamax cranes. China Shipping also has a joint venture with a neighbouring container terminal that is operated by Yang Ming Shipping Line.


“We take great pride in the growth and success we’ve experienced at the Port of Los Angeles,” said China Shipping chairman Li Shaode. “The completion of this critical phase allows for the berthing of two ships simultaneously and positively positions China Shipping and the Port for considerable growth opportunities.”


As part of the latest improvements, an access bridge was also constructed between China Shipping and Yang Ming for efficient truck movement of cargo between the two terminals. Over the next three years, 375 feet of additional berth space will be added, along with more backland space that will eventually double the size of the terminal to 142 acres. China Shipping also plans to install two additional Super post-Panamax cranes bringing the total crane count to 10. When fully completed, terminal capacity will have increased to 1.5m teu capacity.


Dozens of environmental measures are in place at China Shipping, including the use of shore side Alternative Maritime Power (AMP™) by vessels at berth. In 2004, China Shipping became the first container ship line in the world to plug ships into shore-side electric power while at berth at the Port of Los Angeles. The measure eliminates the release of roughly a ton of ship emissions every 24 hours a ship is at berth.


Other environmental measures include: full compliance with the Port’s Vessel Speed Reduction Programme (VSRP) and the use of low-sulphur fuel on container ships within 40 nautical miles of the Port, and the use of alternative-fuelled yard tractors, electric RTGs and diesel particulate filters on lower-emission switcher locomotives.
(Source:http://www.container-mag.com)