Long Beach Named Best Port in North America

The Port of Long Beach once again has been named the best seaport in North America by Cargonews Asia at the 2009 Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards in Hong Kong April 22.

It is the fifth consecutive year and the 13th time in the past 14 years that the Port of Long Beach has been recognized as the best on the continent, despite strong competition from the other nominees, the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of New York/New Jersey.

It a great honor to be recognized once again by the maritime industry, particularly in these challenging times,?said Harbor Commission President James C. Hankla. ?e?e always taken our customers
concerns very seriously, and now we're focused on helping them through this difficult downturn in the economy.

Other best seaports around the world named in the 2009 awards include the Port of Rotterdam in Europe, the Port of Singapore in Asia and the Port of Jebel Ali, Dubai, in the Middle East.

The Asian Freight and Supply Chain Award is a highly regarded distinction given by thousands of importers, exporters, logistics and supply chain professionals who use fright transportation services.

The program, in its 23rd year, is known informally as the ?hipper? Choice?awards. The awards also recognize the best shipping lines, container terminals, air cargo terminals, airports and rail haulers.

The Port of Long Beach is one of the world's premier seaports and a leading environmental steward. Long Beach is a major gateway to world trade for Southern California and businesses and consumers across the United States. In 2008 more than $140 billion in trade moved across Long Beach wharves. Founded in 1911, the Port offers shipping facilities for all types of cargo. As an environmental leader, Long Beach developed its pioneering Green Port Policy to protect the environment, and the sweeping San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan to dramatically improve air quality.