Pet Boarding, South Bay Live Cam 3

The Port of Los Angeles welcomed more than one million cruise passengers at its World Cruise Center in calendar year 1998, marking the first time that the busiest cruiseport on the U.S. West Coast surpassed that threshold. Larry A. Keller, executive director for the Port, stated, "Unprecedented cruise and cargo business last year is testament to the Port of Los Angeles' tremendous diversification and capability. There is no other seaport in the United States that can match our expertise for attracting and serving the world's cruiseships and cargo vessels".

A total of 1,000,778 passengers sailed on cruiseship voyages last year, a 1.6% increase of 16,165 customers over the previous record set in 1997. The Port's cruise business has increased every year since 1995, when the Port handled 759,509 passengers. In just three years, customer volume rose by 241,269 passengers for a 31.8% increase in business, with strong expectations for continued growth.

Keller cited five major reasons for the Port's record-setting cruise business last year: Economic prosperity increases the probability and frequency of cruise travel. He explained, "Our cruise passengers are people with discretionary income who are embarking on their first vacation at sea, as well as repeat customers who thoroughly enjoy the floating resort hotel experience".

Exciting Mexico, Alaska, trans-Panama Canal and round-the-world travel itineraries offered by cruise lines and recognized by travel agents guarantee cruise passengers a unique vacation travel experience. Keller gave as an example, "Passengers can enjoy a sumptuous supper at sea one moment, then visit the Mexican Riviera in the next. Only cruise travel can make this possible".

Excellent cruiseships, including those homeported at the Port of Los Angeles by Carnival Cruise Lines Inc. (the Elation and the Holiday), Princess Cruises (the Crown Princess) and Royal Caribbean International (the Viking Serenade and the Song of America), attract strong interest and business. "Cruise lines are masterful at providing superb vessels with amenities for passengers of all ages," Keller noted.

The Port's close proximity to major Southern California tourist attractions such as Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Universal Studios enables cruise passengers to combine their voyages with excursions to these amusement parks and other locales. "While most of our cruise business is generated by Southland residents, there are many people living outside the region who take advantage of the opportunity to visit Mexico and Disneyland in the same week," Keller stated. "That is an impressive vacation combination".

The World Cruise Center at the Port of Los Angeles is designed and dedicated to serving cruise passengers with high efficiency. Its features include two separate passenger terminals, four processing areas to expedite U.S. Customs clearance and baggage handling, and 3200 secured customer parking spaces. Keller noted, "The World Cruise Center is the staging area and launch point for our cruise passengers. We strive to serve these highly valued customers with outstanding service from the moment they enter our complex, ensuring that their voyages begin and end positively".

With strong expectations for continued growth in its cruise business, the Port last year announced conceptual plans for a $30 million modernization and expansion of the World Cruise Center that may include a new cruise terminal building, wharf modifications and expanded parking. In addition, the Port is awaiting proposals from master real estate developers for the design and construction of a new commercial development adjacent to the World Cruise Center.

The first major design agreement for the development of the Port of Los Angeles' Pier 400 was approved recently between the Los Angeles Harbor Commission and Brown & Root, Inc. of Alhambra, Calif. The $1.4 million agreement calls for the design of the transportation corridor to Pier 400, providing highway, rail and utility access to the new land mass.

Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, who recently made maritime history as the first elected official to step foot on Pier 400, hailed the agreement as key to the progress of the Port's development as the trade hub of the Pacific Rim. "This design agreement will help to ensure that the Port of Los Angeles is prepared to handle the anticipated increases in cargo that are expected in the near future, securing Los Angeles' position as the capital city of the 21st century," he said.

Under the agreement, Brown & Root will provide geotechnical and engineering support services including the design of two vehicular bridge structures, retaining walls, roadway alignments, the corridor water system and a natural gas supply line.

"This is certainly a milestone for the Port's Pier 400 project," said Harbor Commission President Theodore Stein, Jr. "The transportation corridor is critical because it will provide direct access between what will be the world's largest proprietary container terminal and the Alameda Corridor". Stein explained that when completed, Pier 400 will be the home of a 315-acre container terminal and will be connected to the Alameda Corridor, a 20-mile railroad expressline that will create a faster and more efficient way to distribute cargo throughout the United States and to move U.S. exports to overseas markets.

Port Executive Director Larry Keller added, "We've already made great progress with the dredging and landfill portion of this project. The first 100 acres of land has surfaced and nearly 75% of the quarry rock has been placed. The awarding of the transportation corridor design contract is another step in the right direction toward the implementation of a much needed expansion plan".

The massive container terminal planned for Pier 400 will be constructed in two phases to allow for the most efficient use of the new land area. The initial 165-acre phase will be ready for customer use by mid-2001. When Phase I is operational, the facility will feature three berths, an intermodal facility a major gate entrance complex and buildings.

When completed, the entire Pier 400 complex will comprise nearly 600 acres in response to an anticipated growth in cargo, including liquid bulk, that is expected to move through the Port in the next 25 years. It is the largest capital improvement undertaking of any U.S. seaport, and the Port's most ambitious development project in its 91-year history.