Intermodal Briefs: Port of Long Beach, Northwest Seaport Alliance, EFL Global

The Port of Long Beach has extended HDR's contract to create the final design for the $1.567 billion Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility through 2027.

The Port of Long Beach selects HDR to complete the final design for the $1.5 billion Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility. Also, the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) launches Rail Cargo Incentive Program in the Pacific Northwest; and EFL Global acquires Locher Evers International (LEI).

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners has unanimously voted to extend HDR’s contract to create the final design for the $1.567 billion Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility through 2027, the company announced April 11 in a release.

The project, which will create a new on-dock facility to streamline the movement of goods via rail rather than truck, includes a variety of elements, such as realignment of major roads, utility relocation and a new locomotive facility. According to HDR, the company has worked on the Pier B program since the 1990s, and, in 2019, was selected to provide environmental and preliminary design services for the landside modernization program.

Under the new $102.3 million contract extension, HDR’s services will include preparing final design plans, specifications and estimates, as well as program management support services, including integration of advanced project controls, scheduling and estimating.

To further the port’s goals of including small and local businesses, HDR has partnered with 34 subconsultants, including small local businesses.

“This project will reduce congestion and provide solutions for supply chain issues in the region,” said Tom Kim, HDR’s Project Manager for Pier B. “Working together with our small-business partners, we are eager to assist the Port of Long Beach with organizing and delivering the next phase of this modern, sustainable on-dock rail facility.”

Port of Long Beach, the “Green Port,” is part of the largest port complex in the U.S. Once complete, the facility will ease congestion and reduce air emissions by shifting port traffic from trucks to rail cars.

The program also advances the Port of Long Beach’s sustainability goals by incorporating electrification capabilities for future locomotive charging in the long-term facility master plan and site improvements.

Northwest Seaport Alliance

NWSA on April 6 announced the launch of its 2023 Cargo Incentive Program aimed at “driving growth and cost-effective operations in the Pacific Northwest region.”

The program, NWSA says, will increase cargo volumes in the gateway while reducing costs to importers and exporters that utilize the NWSA gateway and their rail partners.

According to NWSA, approximately half the import cargo that moves through its gateway is bound for destinations outside of the Puget Sound region, primarily the Midwest. The 2023 Rail Cargo Incentive Program, NWSA says, will provide a $50 incentive per rail lift for eligible rail volumes moving through the gateway beginning on May 1, 2023.

Additionally, NWSA says the program is expected to generate approximately 60,000 additional rail lifts, equivalent to roughly 15% of NWSA international intermodal lifts in 2022. The initial investment will total $3 million in incentive funding, with the option of extending the program beyond April 2024.

According to the Alliance, NWSA has supported the establishment and growth of inland rail hubs to drive agriculture export cargo to the NWSA. Most intermodal inland ramp locations served and/or operated by the BNSF and Union Pacific (UP) railroads will be eligible for the incentive program, including ramp locations in Minot, N.Dak.; Pocatello, Idaho; Millersburg, Oreg.; and Wallula, Wash.

Managing Members approved the 2023 Rail Cargo Incentive Program at their April 4 Managing Member meeting. The NWSA will provide a mid-year update to Commissioners and determine if additional funding will be allocated to extend the program into the future.

“The NWSA strives to be the most efficient gateway for cargo movement, and the implementation of the rail incentive will ensure that we remain cost-competitive while offering the same best-in-class service for our customers,” stated NWSA Co-Chair Deanna Keller.

“As competition in the shipping industry intensifies with current market conditions, the rail cargo incentive program is an important tool to help attract additional cargo volumes that provide critical jobs for maritime workers across our gateway,” said NWSA Co-Chair Sam Cho.

EFL Global

Logistics and supply chain solutions provider EFL Global announced April 10 that it has acquired LEI, a Canadian logistics company with more than 47 years of experience offering rail service, air freight, ocean freight, customs brokerage, warehousing, distribution, fulfillment, domestic trucking and drayage.

The acquisition of LEI, which is effective immediately, EFL Global says, “expands the company’s footprint in the Canadian market and strengthens its capabilities to provide end-to-end logistics solutions to customers across various industries.” The company will operate as a subsidiary of EFL Global and the management team and employees of LEI will remain in their current roles, “ensuring a seamless transition for customers and suppliers.”

“By combining LEI’s expertise with EFL Global’s resources and technology, customers can expect to benefit from enhanced service offerings, improved efficiencies, and greater flexibility,” the company stated.

“We are excited to welcome LEI to the EFL family and look forward to working together to deliver exceptional logistics solutions to our customers,” EFL Global COO said Bill Wilkening. “This acquisition is a significant milestone in our growth strategy, and we are committed to investing in the Canadian market and expanding our global reach.”

“We are excited to be joining the EFL Global family, which strengthens our ability to compete in the ever changing market, and allows us to provide even more in-house service offerings to our valued clients,” said LEI Managing Director Chris Locher.