International Transportation Service (ITS) has officially launched a major expansion project at the Port of Long Beach to increase cargo-handling efficiency and create more terminal space.

The $365 million project broke ground on July 11 and will add 19 acres of new land to the Pier G terminal by filling in an unused water slip.

The extra space will be used to stack more cargo containers and improve terminal operations. ITS also plans to build a 3,400-foot-long wharf that will allow two of the world’s largest container ships to dock at the same time.

City officials welcomed the project, saying it will benefit the port, the local workforce, and the overall supply chain. Long Beach’s Mayor said that ITS, a longtime tenant of the port for over 50 years, is making an investment that will bring long-term advantages. The mayor also mentioned that the expansion would help move cargo more smoothly and create stable union jobs with good pay.

Port of Long Beach officials shared that ITS was the first company to sign a “green lease” nearly 20 years ago, showing early commitment to reducing environmental impact. They said that ITS is now continuing that effort by increasing terminal capacity. According to the Port’s CEO, the new construction will support the U.S. economy by building up infrastructure and boosting efficiency.

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners also highlighted ITS’s work in reducing emissions and moving more cargo by rail. Officials described the company as a strong environmental partner and praised its efforts to modernise operations.

ITS said the project will rely on local labor and American-made materials. According to ITS Long Beach’s CEO, the goal is to strengthen the nation’s supply chain while keeping both economic and environmental benefits in the U.S. The company stated that this expansion prepares them for the future of global trade by upgrading key infrastructure right at home.

The ITS terminal is located in the outer harbor and is currently divided by a large slip, which is no longer needed. The plan is to fill this area using approximately 2.5 million cubic yards of sediment. This fill material will come from two sources: reused sediment from the Port’s Harbor District and dredged sediment from Newport Harbor in Newport Beach.

Construction is expected to be completed by late 2028. Once finished, the expanded terminal will give ITS and the Port of Long Beach more space, greater ship-handling capacity, and a smoother, more efficient cargo flow.

Reference: Port of Long Beach

Source: www.marineinsight.com