Posted on November 14, 2023
U.S. Department of Transportation officials Nov. 3 announced a $52.6 million grant to modernize critical on-dock rail capabilities and improve several key roadways aimed at speeding the flow of cargo through the Port of Long Beach.
As part of the agency’s Maritime Administration’s port infrastructure development program, the grant will fund the addition of a track along the Dominguez Channel railroad bridge, removing a rail bottleneck. The project is part of the larger Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility, which aims to strengthen the port’s competitiveness by enhancing on-dock rail capacity throughout the port.
The Port of Long Beach’s Pier B rail yard accommodates containerized imports and exports flowing through the trans-Pacific trade route. It’s a critical juncture and rail hub for the entire country, enabling the nation’s largest port complex to connect to 30 other major rail hubs in 85 U.S. congressional districts.
The federal grant will also go toward upgrading and relocating several roadways within the North Harbor area to ensure the safe and reliable movement of goods hauled by truck drivers.
More than $662.2 million was set aside for the Maritime Administration’s port infrastructure development program, which awards grants based on a project’s ability to meet cargo volume growth while improving the safety, efficiency and reliability of goods moving through seaports across the United States.
Gene Seroka Accepts Voluntary Role as VP of International Association of Ports and Harbors
LOS ANGELES — The International Association of Ports and Harbors or IAPH Nov. 2 elected Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka as Vice President, North American region. Seroka will continue his current duties as head of the port while working with the IAPH in the volunteer role. He begins his duties this week at the conclusion of the World Ports 2023 conference in the United Arab Emirates.
Founded in 1955, IAPH is a non-governmental organization headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Over the past six decades, IAPH has developed into a global alliance of ports, representing today some 177 ports and 147 port-related businesses in 84 countries. Its member ports together handle well over 60% of the world’s seaborne trade and more than 60% of the world container traffic.
The IAPH Board is comprised of a president and six vice presidents, with each vice president elected to represent a region of the globe. Seroka will represent the North American region on the Board, which is charged with establishing IAPH’s governing principles and decision making regarding its operation, financing and structure.
