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REDWOOD CITY REPORTS RECORD TONNAGE FIGURES

REDWOOD CITY – A record 1,111,400 metric tons of cargo crossed the Port of Redwood City docks for the fiscal year 2002-2003 that ended June 30. 

The tonnage surpassed the port’s only other million ton year, 1,095,000 metric tons in 2001, and was 23.5% higher than last year’s nearly 900,000 tons.

Port sources attributed the growth to the surge in the Bay Area construction industry.  Much of the cement, aggregates, and gypsum utilized by companies in the region during the year was imported from China, the Pacific Northwest, and Mexico. 

The largest ship to ever dock at the Port of Redwood City – the 797-foot bulk carrier Nelvana – arrived from British Columbia, Canada, with 33,833 metric tons of construction sand.

A second ship – the 730-foot long Ambassador – arrived at the Port from Mexico a day later carrying about 26,934 metric tons of gypsum used to make wallboard. 

Cement imports from China to Redwood City-based RMC Pacific Materials reached 365,079 metric tons for the year, up 34% over last year. The second half of the year accounted for nearly 225,000 of the cement tons, as pent up demand created increased shipments.

Pabco Gypsum imported 231,553 metric tons of gypsum, a 14% increase over the prior year. Sims Metals America exported 273,814 tons of scrap metal generated mostly from old vehicles to the Far East, an increase of 9%. 

Sand and other aggregates made up the balance of the tonnage. All in all, 100 ships and barges called upon the port during the period.

LOS ANGELES MAYOR UNVEILS LAX SECURITY PLAN

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles' mayor James Hahn is pushing a $9 billion renovation plan for the world's fifth busiest airport designed to keep cars far away from the airport's terminals to prevent terrorism.

The plan would set up one remote check-in point with a tram to move passengers to a new 6.5 million square-foot main terminal and other terminals.

City officials said the changes would make Los Angeles International Airport less vulnerable to terrorism.

Hahn contends passengers would move quickly through the check-in facility and board a tram to the terminals. A transportation center would reduce airport traffic by connecting passengers to light rail and buses. The makeover would also move the runways farther apart.

The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. (LAEDC) backs Hahn's plan, but some airlines have expressed concern about the cost of the proposal. They would have to pay half the plan's cost through higher landing fees and terminal rent.

The plan also would limit the number of travelers to about 79 million passengers a year by decreasing the number of gates where airline could park jets from 163 to 153. Hahn suggested that would spread air traffic among other smaller airports in the region.

The LA City Council will ultimately be asked to decide how the airport is remodeled and if it is remodeled at all. A public comment period runs through August 25.

The airport, dating to 1928, underwent a major terminal and roadways remodeling in the 1980s.

USA BIOMASS COMPLETES MDF TRANSPORT ACQUISITION

ORANGE – USA Biomass Corp. has completed its previously announced acquisition of MDF Transport, Inc., a Whittier-based company engaged in the transport of agricultural biomass.

USA Biomass acquired MDF for cash, notes and common stock, with a total value of $500,000.

MDF is currently generating close to $1 million in annual revenues, and, due to the synergies that exist between USA Biomass and MDF, USA Biomass' consolidated revenues are expected to grow to an annualized rate of approximately $6.5 million by year-end.

USA Biomass and MDF have been working together on a number of transportation projects for the past five months.

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