Economic growth, job creation and expanding zero-emissions operations are among the Port of Los Angeles’ goals for 2023 and beyond, port Executive Director Gene Seroka said during this year’s ‘State of the Port’ speech on Jan. 19.
The State of the Port is an annual event put on by the port in conjunction with the independent, non-profit Pacific Merchant Shipping Association. This year’s event, held at the port’s cruise center terminal, attracted 510 attendees, according to the PMSA.
During his 35-minute speech, Seroka revealed that the POLA moved 9.9 million TEUs in 2022, the second-highest annual amount in the port’s 115-year history. The amount marks the 23rd consecutive year that Los Angeles has been the top port in the U.S., volume-wise.
Seroka said that the POLA intends to lead technology in the maritime industry to drive efficiency. In line with those efforts, he commented, were new features being added to the POLA’s Port Optimizer digital tracking portal, including the providing of exporters with more predictability and tracking capability on outbound shipping services.
“Data infrastructure gives us tremendous insight into supply chain issues, trends and process improvement opportunities which were simply not available before,” he said. “These new tools will add to the stability and growth of America’s global trade.”
Additionally, he said that work would continue this year on development and deployment of zero-emission cargo handling and other equipment, as well as additional deployment of additional zero emission and low emissions drayage trucks.
Seroka also said that the port is part of a statewide coalition that will apply for a $1.4 billion U.S. Department of Energy grant to establish a green hydrogen hub at the LA-Long Beach port complex.
