Port Hueneme | First PLA Project in Port History Breaks Ground

The final step in the Port’s South Terminal Modernization came to fruition today. Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the Port’s cargo enhancement project was much more than a typical golden shovel event, it represented over 5 years of planning and execution to grow the Port’s capacity and provide over 500 new sustainable jobs.

“In accordance with the Port’s 2020 General Plan, this space will now provide a special concreate working area that will double the cargo handling area of the South Terminal and will provide an efficient, safe, and productive working area for our existing two harbor cranes and our newest addition, a $7 million hybrid electric crane being provided by Ports America,’ stated Oxnard Harbor District Board President Jess Herrera. “Our Port motto states, ‘There is only way, and that is forward’. Today, we have taken a step in that direction, into the future.”

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From left to right: City of Oxnard Councilmember Bert Perello, Tony Skinner of Tri Counties Building and Trades Council, Andy Castillo of LiUNA!, Andrew Munson representing Asm. Irwin; Patty Quiroz representing Sen. Jackson; CEO & Port Director Kristin Decas; Oxnard Harbor District President Jess Herrera; Port Hueneme City Councilmembers Steven Gama and Rich Rollins, Oxnard Chamber of Commerce CEO Nancy Lindholm; Tim Viola and Nick Shipp of Viola Constructors, Inc.; and Armando Delgado of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters.

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The additional space will accommodate increased mobility for the mobile harbor cranes, and will work in concert with the Port’s deepening project. Deeping the harbor to 40 feet will allow vessels to load heavier with more cargo, the addition of the third crane will enable the ILWU to unload the extra cargo efficiently, and the modernization of the South Terminal will allow for more space for crane and container operations.

“Five years ago, our Board of Harbor Commissioners adopted a 2020 General Plan of which the modernization of this space on Port was prioritized. Today, we see this vision come to life,” said CEO & Port Director Kristin Decas. “The shipping industry has continued to evolve, transporting more fresh produce in containers; and as a result, on dock storage has become obsolete. Soon, the space will allow for optimal efficiency for handling of cargo, resulting in cleaner air.”

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Armando Delgado of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters and Nick Shipp of Viola Constructors, Inc. listen to CEO & Port Director Kristin Decas explain the logistics of the project

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During the construction, the Port’s operations team, consultant Encompass Consultant Group, and contractor Viola Constructors, Inc. will be utilizing the best environmental practices for dust control, recycling the demo material, and storm water runoff protection.

In attendance at the groundbreaking, Port Hueneme City Councilmember Rich Rollins stated, “As a new councilman, I’ve come to appreciate the fine partnership that we have with the Port, they have been very good about working with our community. I look forward to this new project and the ability for them to expand in a very low impact manner, but still generate revenue and the economy that will help us all.”

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City of Port Hueneme Councilmember Rich Rollins references the partnership between the City and the Port, and applauds the Port’s successful environmental programs and infrastructure projects

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“As a Councilman for Oxnard and a resident of Oxnard, I’m grateful that there is an opportunity for the City of Oxnard to work with the harbor, and fortunate that we are in a location where the is a harbor next to us that can bring in the business and can provide jobs,” stated City of Oxnard Councilmember Bert Perello.

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Oxnard City Councilmember Bert Perello references the partnership of the City and the Port for job creation; Tony Skinner of Tri Counties Building and Construction Trades Council and Andy Castillo of LiUNA! attend the groundbreaking ceremony

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The demolition of the 1B warehouse is under the Ports new Project Labor Agreement, ensuring that the construction projects directly support the local workforce. The project will be completed by November and will cost $2.2 million, an investment the Port is looking forward to generating more cargo and creating more jobs for the local community.

Tony Skinner, Tri Counties Building and Construction Trades Council stated, “This PLA is going to ensure local hire form the Port Hueneme and Oxnard community, as well as give us the chance to expand our apprenticeship to young men and women that are interested in the trades. We also have a helmets to hardhats clause in there so we can put as many veterans on this project as we can. I want to say thank you to Kristin and Commissioner Herrera.”

Learn more about the new hybrid electric crane here.
Learn more about the Port’s Environmental Initiatives here.
Learn more about the Port’s $3 Million ZANZEFF Grant here.

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The Port of Hueneme is one of the most productive and efficient commercial trade gateways for niche cargo on the West Coast. The Port is governed by five locally elected Port Commissioners. The Port moves $9.5 billion in goods each year and consistently ranks among the top ten U.S. ports for automobiles and fresh produce. Port operations support the community by bringing $1.7 billion in economic activity and creating 15,834 trade-related jobs. Trade through the Port of Hueneme generates more than $119 million in direct and related state and local taxes, which fund vital community services. In 2017, the Port of Hueneme became the first port in California to become Green Marine certified.www.portofh.org.

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July 23, 2019

Debra Tash

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