Mitsubishi Cement port terminal project gains approval

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners has granted approval for the Mitsubishi Cement facility modification project at the Port of Long Beach in California. This will see the cement company increase its storage capacity at the port by 40 000 t, expanding its site at the port from 4.21 acres to 5.92 acres. Storage and loading silos will be constructed on vacant port property next to Mitsubishi Cement’s current facility at the port’s Pier F.

At the facility, cement and cementitious materials arrive via bulk cargo ships for storage in silos and a warehouse, before being loaded onto trucks to be transported to local concrete batch plants. Under the new project, at least 90% of the trucks must have engines from 2010 onwards to ensure that the operations are as green as possible. This is one of the environmental measures and upgrades surrounding the project that were contingent to the Board approving the expansion plans. Mitsubishi Cement will install solar panels and energy efficient lighting at the facility, and carry out an energy audit every five years. The company will also work with the port to review technology every five years in order to identify, consider and implement technologies that could help to reduce emissions further. Mitsubishi will also contribute US$333 720 to the port’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Grant Programme. Furthermore, when ships are unable to use shore power when berthing, and therefore not shutdown their engines, a new emission control system known as Dockside Catalytic Control will connect to the ships’ exhaust stacks and capture pollutants.

“We must continue to be a partner and a leader in both commerce and moving sustainability efforts forward – the two are not mutually exclusive,” said Doug Drummond, Harbor Commission President.

The project, which is expected to take between two and three years to complete, will help Mitsubishi Cement to meet increasing regional demand for cement.

Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/18052015/mitsubishi-cement-port-terminal-expansion-project-approved-857/