Port Expansion: Hueneme, San Diego

Port of Hueneme Receives $12.3 Million TIGER Grant for Intermodal Improvements

Port of Hueneme Harbor Commissioners joined Deputy Maritime Administrator Michael Rodriguez and other officials, including Congressman Julia Brownley, at an on-dock ceremony on October 30 for an announcement of the port’s first ever Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant award from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

The $12.3 million grant will be used for intermodal improvements, including the deepening and strengthening of the wharfs and berths, modernizing cargo infrastructure and on-dock rail improvements.

The wharf and berth improvements will complement adjacent channel deepening by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, accommodate larger capacity, deeper draft vessels, utilize heavy-lift cargo handling equipment, enhance resiliency to climate change and reduce emissions during operations.

A recent economic impact analysis cited by the port concludes that deepening would create 563 jobs, $28 million in business revenue, $5.8 million in local purchases, and $4.6 million in state and local taxes. Additionally, the dredged sand will support beach nourishment projects for the City of Port Hueneme.

To balance the new water-side capacity and maximize the terminal’s utilization, cold storage sheds adjacent to the wharf will be upgraded with climate control, lighting and perishable cargo treatment facilities. New paving will facilitate dockside operations for heavy cargo and cargo handling equipment. Solar panel arrays will provide 250kW of energy to the facility and other port systems, complementing the port’s shore power infrastructure which has reduced diesel fuel consumption of vessels while at berth by 67,458 gallons per year.

The final stage of the Intermodal Improvement Project will include the extension of the port’s rail spur, which will allow on-terminal railcar loading and support liquid bulk transfers and removes 2,300 annual truck trips from the local and regional roadways. 

"This grant creates a catalyst for our future and promises to be a very big game changer for the port in terms of retaining our great customer base, building new opportunities, creating jobs and advancing environmental and energy efficiency priorities," said Port Director Kristin Decas.  "We thank US DOT, our federal delegation and all our local officials and industry leaders for their support and this clear vote of confidence in the Port of Hueneme."

San Diego Awarded $10 Million TIGER Grant for Maritime Cargo Terminal Modernization

The Port of San Diego has been awarded $10 million TIGER by the U.S. Department of Transportation for proposed maritime cargo terminal redevelopment.

The improvements include removing obsolete transit sheds and constructing new, open laydown area for temporary equipment storage with on-dock rail improvements. The grant makes up nearly one-half of the $22,129,000 project cost.

U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Maritime Administrator Michael J. Rodriguez formally announced the funding at an event on October 30 at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal in San Diego. Other speakers were U.S. Congresswoman Susan Davis; Port Chairman Dan Malcolm; Port CEO Randa Coniglio and SANDAG Executive Director Gary Gallegos.

In addition to its cargo infrastructure, the Port of San Diego is designated as a U.S. Department of Defense Strategic Port, and supports the Navy’s activities of ship building and repair services as well as national security logistics.

The port’s proposed redevelopment plan for the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal is designed to maximize the terminal’s cargo potential by increasing efficiency, thereby creating well-paying jobs and increase the overall economic benefit the port’s maritime cargo business brings to the San Diego region.

The terminal modernization will improve efficiency for port users, providing operational space for multiple shippers who will benefit from enhanced productivity. The removal of transit sheds will improve the safety of oversized cargo movements by creating adequate space to handle modern cargos, and reduce environmental impacts by reducing intra-terminal truck trips.

"This important grant from the federal government shows that maritime capacity matters to our nation," said Port of San Diego Chairman Dan Malcolm. "We are deeply appreciative of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s investment in San Diego maritime cargo operations and its recognition that those operations are critical to our region’s economy and national security. We want to thank our partners, especially the Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, elected federal representatives, SANDAG, and all of the regional supporters and customers who weighed in on our behalf."