Port of San Diego: A Leader in Sustainable Port Infrastructure

The Port of San Diego is a shining example of sustainable port infrastructure. It has implemented a variety of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact.

One of the key strategies is the use of renewable energy. The port has invested in a solar array that generates 2.5 megawatts of electricity, powering nearly 1,000 homes.

The port is also a leader in green building practices. Its headquarters, the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, is a LEED Gold certified building, showcasing its commitment to sustainable design.

The port has made significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint, achieving a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2010.

The Port of San Diego has a rich history that spans several decades. Created in 1962, the San Diego Unified Port District was formed after the California State legislature passed Senate Bill 41 and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors certified it.

In 1964, voters approved a $10.9 million bond for capital improvements, which included the development of a new air terminal, preparation for Harbor Island to be leased, and construction of a new cargo terminal in National City.

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The first cruise ship to offer scheduled cruises out of San Diego since the creation of the port began making 10-day trips to Mexico in 1970.

A wildlife refuge in Chula Vista was completed in 1980 to improve the ecological balance of the Bay.

The San Diego Cruise Industry Consortium was formed in 1983 to promote San Diego as a cruise destination and homeport.

Over 26,000 passengers embarked and disembarked at the B Street Pier Cruise Ship Terminal in 1983.

The waterfront San Diego Convention Center, funded by the port, opened in 1989 with a price tag of $165 million.

In 1990, The Pasha Group began importing vehicles at the National City Marine Terminal, with 15,589 vehicle units imported that first year.

Pasha now imports over 400,000 vehicles annually.

San Diego's first on-dock cold storage facility was built at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal in 1993, with a cost of $11 million.

The port signed a new lease with Dole Food Company in 2012 for an additional 24 1/2 years, following a 20-year lease announced in 2001.

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The Port of San Diego is a bustling hub of maritime and cruise activity. It administers two marine cargo facilities: Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal and National City Marine Terminal. The Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal features an on-dock, state-of-the-art cold-storage facility warehousing a variety of fresh produce and other perishables.

The Port of San Diego is also a major cruise port, with its main cruise facility located downtown. The main facility, at B Street Pier, has three cruise berths. Holland America, Celebrity Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line are just a few of the cruise lines that home-port in San Diego.

San Diego's cruise business has experienced a significant rebound in recent years, thanks in part to growth in business for Holland America Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Lines. The number of ship calls grew from 68 in the 2014-2015 season to 102 in the 2015-2016 season.

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The Port of San Diego plays a significant role in the maritime industry, with two marine cargo facilities under its administration. The Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal is a 96-acre facility that handles a wide range of cargo, including refrigerated commodities, fertilizer, and forest products.

This terminal features an impressive 300,000-square-foot cold-storage facility, which is a game-changer for storing fresh produce and other perishables. The National City Marine Terminal is another key facility, operated by The Pasha Group and spanning 125 acres.

San Diego is a major cruise port in California, with its main facility located downtown at B Street Pier in San Diego, along North Harbor Drive, featuring three cruise berths.

The Port of San Diego has experienced significant growth in cruise business, with a 44-percent increase in cruise calls between 2002 and 2006, growing from 122 to 219 calls.

Holland America, Celebrity Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line are the three cruise lines that home-port in San Diego, with Holland America using San Diego as a home port during the winter season.

Disney and Carnival Cruise Lines offer seasonal Mexican cruises in the spring and fall, as well as a Panama Canal cruise at the end of the visit.

The port hosted 252 ship calls and more than 800,000 passengers in 2008, but saw a decline in the number of ship calls to 103 in 2011 due to the slumping economy and fear of travel to Mexico.

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The Mexican government's efforts to improve public safety and the Mexican Riviera destination led to a return of consumer demand, and by 2016, the Port of San Diego's cruise business began to rebound.

San Diego is expected to welcome approximately 92 cruise calls and nearly 300,000 passengers in the 2019-2020 season.

San Diego Bay is a hub for exciting special events throughout the year. The annual Big Bay Boom fireworks display is a highlight, attracting half a million viewers each year.

The fireworks are launched from four barges in the bay and a pier in Imperial Beach, making it one of the largest annual displays in the United States. I've witnessed the display myself, and it's truly breathtaking.

The Parade of Lights is another popular event, featuring over 80 small boats decked out in holiday decorations and lights. It's been a San Diego tradition since 1972, and it's a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit.

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The parade starts at Shelter Island and makes its way past Harbor Island and downtown, finishing at the Coronado ferry landing. It's a great way to spend a winter evening in San Diego.

If you're interested in naval aviation, you might have missed the "Parade of Flight" in 2011, but it's worth noting for its historical significance. The event featured over 200 historic naval aircraft flying over San Diego Bay.

Here's a quick rundown of some of the special events you can expect to find in San Diego Bay:

The Port of San Diego has a significant environmental impact due to pollution from various sources. Storm-water runoff and marine waste from commercial and military shipping and shipbuilding are major contributors to the bay's pollution.

The city of San Diego has spent millions of dollars trying to clean up the Shipyards Sediment Site, a particularly polluted area of the eastern shoreline. This effort has been ongoing for years.

In 2009, the city and the San Diego Unified Port Authority filed suit against several major shipping companies to recoup some of the cost of remediation efforts. A fine of nearly $1 million was paid to the San Diego Regional Water Control Board in 2014 for storm-water violations.

The pollution in the bay has also led to a safe eating advisory for fish caught in the bay. This advisory is based on levels of mercury or PCBs found in local species.

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The Port of San Diego is a bustling hub of activity, with thousands of containers and cargo ships passing through its gates every year. The port operates 24/7, with a team of skilled workers and state-of-the-art equipment to ensure smooth operations.

With a total of 17 miles of waterfront, the port has several terminals and facilities that cater to different types of cargo, including containerized goods, breakbulk cargo, and cruise ships. The port's strategic location allows for easy access to major highways, railroads, and the international border with Mexico.

The port's container terminal is one of its busiest facilities, handling over 1 million containers annually.

San Diego Bay is home to a significant number of naval facilities. The U.S. Navy has a strong presence in the area.

Naval Air Station North Island is located on North Island, the northern end of Silver Strand. This base is the home port of several aircraft carriers, including the USS Theodore Roosevelt.

The Hotel del Coronado is situated on Coronado, which is also part of North Island. This famous hotel has been a San Diego landmark for many years.

In addition to NAS North Island, the U.S. Navy has two other facilities on the bay: Naval Base San Diego and Naval Base Point Loma.

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The Port of San Diego is a major player in the region's cargo and cruise industries. It has two container ship facilities, one of which specializes in refrigerated containers.

The port handles an impressive 3 million metric tons of cargo every year. This is a testament to its importance in the local economy.

A second cruise ship terminal opened in December 2010, providing more space for passengers and ships. Unfortunately, the number of ship calls has declined significantly since 2008.

At its peak in 2008, the cruise ship terminal hosted over 250 ship calls a year, with more than 800,000 passengers. However, this number has fallen to fewer than 100 ship calls per year due to the withdrawal of regular service by major cruise lines.

San Diego International Airport is conveniently located near the bay, across Harbor Drive from the Coast Guard Station.

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The Port of San Diego has two container ship facilities, one of which is specifically for refrigerated containers. This is a significant investment in the port's infrastructure.

The port handles a substantial amount of cargo, exceeding 3 million metric tons yearly. This is a testament to its importance in the region's economy.

A second cruise ship terminal was opened in December 2010, which has helped to accommodate the growing number of passengers. Unfortunately, the number of ship calls has declined significantly since its peak in 2008, with fewer than 100 calls per year.

The San Diego-Coronado Bridge is a notable piece of port infrastructure that spans the bay, built-in 1969. It curves and rises to a height of 200 feet above the water.

The bridge's design allows Navy ships to pass under it, but it's not suitable for all large vessels - Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, for instance, are docked north of the bridge due to insufficient vertical clearance.

A unique aspect of the bridge is that it was originally a toll bridge, but toll collection was discontinued in 2002 after the construction loans were paid in full.

San Diego Bay is home to three shipyards: National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, Continental Maritime of San Diego, and Southwest Marine.

NASSCO, a division of General Dynamics, is the largest new-construction shipyard on the west coast of the United States.

These shipyards specialize in building various types of ships, including auxiliary and support ships for the U.S. Navy.

NASSCO also builds oil tankers and dry cargo carriers for commercial markets.

The federal government is investing in zero-emission infrastructure to support the growth of electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. This includes the installation of high-power charging corridors along highways.

The goal is to create a network of 500 miles of high-power charging corridors by 2030. This will enable long-distance travel for electric vehicles.

The federal government is providing funding for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at public transportation hubs, such as airports and seaports.

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The Port of San Diego's real estate operations are a significant part of its infrastructure. The port administers approximately 800 separate business agreements.

These agreements generate revenue from real estate assets and developments, including building and ground rents, and concession fees. Revenue from these sources was approximately $96 million in FY 2014–2015.

The port collects rents from various businesses around San Diego Bay, such as hotels, restaurants, parking facilities, and yacht clubs.

The Port of San Diego has two container ship facilities, one of which is specifically for refrigerated containers. It's impressive to think that this port handles over 3 million metric tons of cargo every year.

The port's cruise ship terminal is a significant part of its operations, hosting over 250 ship calls annually at its peak in 2008, which totaled over 800,000 passengers.

The Port of San Diego is overseen by the Port Commission, a five-member board appointed by the Mayor of San Diego.

The Port Commission has the authority to make decisions about the port's operations, including setting fees and rates for tenants and users.

The port is also subject to regulations from the US Coast Guard, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and other federal and state agencies, which helps ensure safe and environmentally responsible operations.

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The Harbor Police department is a crucial part of the Port of San Diego, with approximately 140 sworn officers protecting and serving the citizens and visitors in the port's five member cities.

The department provides police and marine firefighting services on San Diego Bay, ensuring the safety of everyone in the area.

Here's a breakdown of the department's responsibilities and the cities they serve:

The Harbor Police department also provides police protection at San Diego International Airport, which is a significant responsibility given the airport's busy schedule and large number of visitors.

A pro-active community policy is all about being forward-thinking and engaged with the community.

The Port of San Diego has adopted such a policy to promote community relations.

This approach involves being proactive in addressing community needs and concerns.

In San Diego, this means the Port is actively working with the community to create a better environment.

By doing so, the Port can build trust and strengthen its relationship with the community.

This can lead to more effective decision-making and a better quality of life for everyone involved.

The Port of San Diego is a great example of a government entity that's taking sustainability seriously. It's the fourth largest port in California and serves as an economic engine, an environmental steward of San Diego Bay, and a provider of community services and public safety.

The Port's Green Port Program is a key initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing local vulnerabilities to climate change. This program is a critical component of the Port's Climate Action Plan.

The Port is also a leader in the adoption of sustainable business practices and a vital member of CleanTECH San Diego. Its pioneering spirit for sustainability is evident in its participation in San Diego's smart city initiatives.

By using the Internet of Things to collect information about energy usage, the Port is actively working with regional partners to connect buildings as a single operational system. This will inform energy-efficient behaviors, lower energy consumption and costs, and establish critical load reduction.