SoCal Ports’ Infrastructure Seen Adequate for Another Record Year

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outhern California's ports should be able to handle another record year of cargo imports without major disruptions, but infrastructure improvements will likely be needed in coming years to keep up, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

A panel of shipping industry experts that met Tuesday made up of representatives from ocean shipping lines, port terminals, trucking firms, railroads and labor groups struck a mostly positive note in presenting an outlook for the peak cargo season from late spring into October, AP said.

Panelists cautioned that infrastructure improvements would be necessary in coming years for the big ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to handle what is expected to be continued high cargo levels from the Far East.

Brian Griley, president of trucking company Southern Counties Express, said that more drivers will be needed to move cargo from the docks to warehouses around the region, AP reported.

Drivers have worked extra shifts to take advantage of extended port operating hours, which gave the appearance there were enough drivers last year, he said.

Los Angeles and Long Beach, the nation's largest port complex, handled more than $200 billion in trade last year, AP reported.