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SHIPPING ADVANCES IN 2014
The year 2014 proved to be exceptional for shipping at and domestic applications since that time. With
the Port. With 230 vessel calls in 12 months, the Port worldwide demand for bulk coal estimated over three
exceeded its total for a single year in its 82-year billion tons over the next five years, the Port is poised
history. The increase in vessel tra c is a combination to participate in providing just a small amount of the
of factors beginning with the recovery of the global global demand. Bulk sulfur, calcined clay, petroleum
recession, which has triggered a demand for increased coke, beet pellets, hay cubes, bulk nitrogen products,
construction materials across the United States. Most iron ore and many other commodities have been
notably is a marked increase in steel products used in exported to more than 55 countries through the Port
heavy construction projects. Products such as steel since 1952. Overall, the Port has experienced an
beams and pipe in large and small diameter, rebar, increase in tonnage to more than four million tons —
tubing, channel and coils of finished and unfinished the highest level in 10 years.
banded steel are all required materials, leading the
way as new construction projects continue to rise. The Port’s core business model is to support local and
regional agriculture. To complement this, imports of
A resumption of imports of bulk cement is on the nitrogen products used as fertilizer has continued to
horizon and in December 2014, the Port received grow. The Port provides logistical services to more
its first import vessel in more than five years. The than 90 percent of farms situated in the greater San
combination of these materials clearly indicates the Joaquin Valley as well as portions of Kern County. As
economy is on the rebound and is expected to commodities movement continues to rise at the Port,
continue moving forward. New products such as bulk maintaining and improving upon exiting transport
barite used in drilling operations, bagged urea as a facilities is crucial. Recent improvements in railroad
nitrogen source for crop production, as well as bulk capacity pushed over 90,000 rail car moves in 2014.
gypsum for fertilizer and soil conditioning are adding This improved rail capability will provide future growth
to the Port’s commodity mix with significant benefit. opportunities as the Port continues to develop
On project cargo opportunities, Tesla Motors imported business on the West Complex. Overall, the Port is
a complete vehicle assembly line from Italy for delivery strategically aligned to continue its shipping successes
to their assembly plant in Fremont, California through well into the future. The Port is “running on all
the Port. cylinders” and shipping operations should continue
their upward rise well into 2015 and beyond.
On the export front, the Port celebrated a milestone
in 2014 by hitting its two millionth ton of bagged rice.
In addition, increases in low-sulfur coal tonnage that
passed through the Port also surged during 2014. The
Port exported its first cargo of bulk coal in 1981 and MARK C. TOLLINI
has continually handled bulk coal in both international Senior Deputy Port Director
Operational E ciency 09
