Port of LA, US Army Corps of Engineers release draft EIS/EIR for Yusen Container Terminal

The Port of Los Angeles and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Report (EIS/EIR) for the Yusen Terminals Inc. [YTI] Container Terminal Improvements Project, located at Berths 212-224 at the Port of Los Angeles, on the north side of Terminal Island along the Cerritos Channel, near the East Basin, the Port of LA press release said.

The proposed project entails improving Berths 214-216 wharves, increasing berth depth from -45 to -53 feet, and improving Berths 217-220 wharves to make way for 100-foot gauge gantry cranes, as well as deepening to a -47 feet berth depth. The project will also construct additional on-dock rail yard capacity for YTI.

The proposed project follows in the footsteps of the Port of Los Angeles’ $370 million Main Channel Deepening Project, done in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As a result of these improvements, the Port’s main channel and turning basins now provide -53 depths.

YTI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha.  YTI operates marine cargo terminals in Los Angeles and Oakland, providing stevedore and terminal service to container shipping lines. YTI has a long-term lease with the Port for operation of the terminal through 2016, and plans to exercise its option to extend its lease through 2026.

The Draft EIS/EIR includes a discussion of the proposed project’s environmental impacts and identifies mitigation measures to reduce these impacts as required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Port of Los Angeles is the largest seaport of the United States. The Port encompasses 3.5 ha, 69km of waterfront and features 27 cargo terminals, including dry and liquid bulk, container breakbulk, automobile and omni facilities. Last year, Port of Los Angeles throughput rose year-over-year 16.05% to 7.83 million TEUs. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach form together the U.S. port complex, one of the world’s biggest hub.