FORCES OF( IM) PORT:
EQUIPPING CONTAINER TERMINALS FOR THE FUTURE
The global shipping trade is undergoing rapid growth, many analysts expect trade to double in the coming decades. Such an increase carries both challenges and opportunities for shipping companies and ports. P2S Associate Principal, Mike Shen, has years of experience designing for both San Pedro Bay Ports— the Ports of Long Beach( POLB) and Los Angeles( POLA). We sat down with Mike to discuss his projects at the ports, the changing nature of the port environment, and some of the challenges port and terminal operators face in the future.
What type of facilities have you designed at ports? MS: I’ ve primarily designed maintenance and support facilities serving shipping tenants at terminals. Many of the facilities my teams have worked on have been at the TraPac automated terminal at POLA and the LBCT automated terminals at the POLB. Although they’ re both automated terminals, POLA and POLB each use different systems, with different technologies and equipment.
What are some notable projects you’ ve helped realize at ports? MS: The TraPac Crane Maintenance Building at POLA is worth mentioning. This facility maintains the auto-guided stacker cranes serving the terminal and can support anything from routine maintenance to more intensive welding or fabrication repairs. Developing an engine exhaust capture system for connection 40 feet above the ground level was a particularly challenging aspect of this project.
Another notable project currently under design, is the Pier E Terminal South Battery Exchange Building, serving LBCT’ s zero emissions Automated Guided Vehicles( AGVs). Only a couple of other ports in the world have
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