The US Navy is utilising port space at Hueneme (POH) around 100 miles from the port at Los Angeles. This move is aimed specifically at reducing the Port of Los Angeles congestion. Hueneme is the West Coast home base of the Seabees’ US Navy construction battalion. Seabees.
A Joint Use Agreement exists between the US Navy, the Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) and the Oxnard Harbor District (OHD. In emergency situations this may be activated, allowing the Navy to support commercial supply chain logistics.
US Navy and Hueneme Port help resolve Port of Los Angeles congestion
Facilities made available
Since 2002 there has been a joint agreement at Hueneme port between the US Navy and local authorities. This agreement authorizes commercial use of:
- Docking wharf that has 1,000 linear feet for berth
- Operational land that is 21 acres of contiguous area
- Office and storage facilities in two major buildings
- Overflow industrial land 10 acres that is nearby
This Joint Use Agreement was triggered in November to assist with resolving the congestion blighting Los Angeles County’s main ports. The congestion continues to exacerbate the US-wide supply crisis. Cargo ships traditionally come into port to offload some of their containers, then move on to LA County. In these times, a vessel may offload all containers at Hueneme port in order to circumvent the more southerly congestion.
Can do attitude and partnership
Much of both the provisional and long-term infrastructure built at US military bases all over the world is constructed by the Seabees Navy Construction Battalion.
The Seabees’ history harks back to World War II when, on March 5, 1942, the Seabees were officially commissioned. The battalion’s services were needed to take on the task of constructing the base camps, headquarters and other buildings required to ensure the Navy’s readiness for and involvement in the war. It has been more than 70 years since the battalion’s establishment, Over that time the Seabees have served in most of the main conflicts in which the US has been involved.
Members of the Seabees Battalion have served worldwide. Wherever conflict exists, the Seabees have been and are there. They build bases, airfields, construct structures under water, and build all manner of infrastructure, including roads, bridges and more. Their remit includes protecting each other and all personnel and civilians wherever they are.
Jason Hodge, Hueneme port OHD President, said in the last 12 months commerce at the dockage has grown considerably. He said, in terms of shifting freight, the port share’s the Seabees “‘can do” motto and ethos, whereby they always finish a job, no matter what.
Hodge said the Port values the Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) partnership and are very happy so much extra space has been found. This provides berthing for the extra ships transiting the port loaded with goods for the holidays to be holidays. Hodge said the OHD is very pleased this partnership is working to resolve the current massive challenges and ensure necessary cargo moves forwards towards its destinations. He pointed to the Port’s and the US Navy’s lengthy history of standing and working together. This, he said, is further enhanced by this latest ‘call to arms’ to work together to resolve the US-wide logistics problem.
A large container ship, Ports of America, has already berthed at the NBVC facility, landing many 40 foot containers at Port Hueneme. This was reported by Daniel Herrera, the Port’s Assistant Program Director for Port Operations. Daniel explained that the bulk of the merchandise landed is likely to make a big difference for people wanting to purchase goods over the holiday period.
Jason Hodge, President of the Oxnard Harbor District says delighted to come together with the US Navy to help address the national supply chain challenge
No further US Navy involvement yet
There has been no mention of other possible California ports being opened. Around 100 miles south, however, is the US Navy’s San Diego base. This base is second only to Naval Station Norfolk, which is the US Navy’s biggest non-submersible vessel base.
Also not mentioned was any potential deployment of the US Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) large Ready Reserve Fleet or the US Navy Military Sealift Command ships, which could move containers along the coastlines via ‘short sea shipping’.
No help from infrastructure spending bill
The Port of Los Angeles congestion results, in part, from the fact that the US commercial fleet is sitting idle. There’s ongoing dialogue and dickering over one of the biggest infrastructure expenditure bills in many years. There is not, however, any meaningful conversation regarding the necessity for upgrading US ocean transport capacity or expanding US ship manufacture capability. Rather, the US maritime business foundation continues to be ignored while our and our merchant fleet still lags behind those of our competition. US Navy warship construction has been prodigious, but there is need for greater, even if modest, investment, in non-military marine business, to buttress our business interests around the world.
US Navy help will not solve Port of Los Angeles congestion
Dr Sal Mercogliano, maritime expert, proposed the ready reserve fleet be called in last month. He said the opening of NBVC is one step, that is the Navy has provided one berth at which vessels with equipment can unload. Unfortunately, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach unloaded less this October than in the same month last year. Container numbers are not dropping constantly, and the number of vessels sitting offshore with full holds is unprecedented. Being able to bring a ship into Hueneme is a move in the right direction, but much more is needed to end the congestion.
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