Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

San Diego Port Needs Room for Growing Cargo Business

The Port of San Diego expects its cargo business to increase over the next several years. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce tells us that could mean more jobs in the area.

San Diego Port Needs Room for Growing Cargo Business

The Port of San Diego expects its cargo business to increase over the next several years. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce tells us that could mean more jobs in the area.

The Port wants to expand its San Diego and National City terminals to handle more cargo. A plan to do that will be considered by the Port's Board later this year. About 375,000 vehicles were imported through the National City terminal last year and more are expected next year. The Port's Marguerite Elicone says growth means...

Advertisement

Elicone: More jobs for the longshore workers who actually drive those vehicles off of the car-carrying vessels, and then more jobs for the truckers that truck the automobiles to the dealers, and then more jobs for the dealers.

The Port's maritime cargo operation generates $1.5 billion a year to the local economy. It also supports more than 19,000 regional jobs.

Elicone says the Port also needs more room to handle increased imports of other goods, such as sand, cement, fertilizer and fruit.

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.