San Francisco Port Commission Approves
15-Year Terminal Management Agreement with
Pasha Automotive Services for Pier 80
Marine terminal to create new revenue, economic and employment benefits to
San Francisco’s Southern Waterfront
San Francisco, CA – Wednesday, May 11, 2016 – The San Francisco Port Commission yesterday approved a 15-year marine terminal management agreement with Pasha Automotive Services (PAS), a subsidiary of the Pasha Group for Pier 80, the Port’s cargo terminal in the southern waterfront. The new agreement with PAS promises to transform Pier 80 from an underutilized asset to a thriving marine terminal creating new revenue for the Port and significant economic and employment benefits for San Francisco.
For the past year, the Port has been in dialogue with PAS about shifting the marketing focus at Pier 80 primarily to automobile imports and exports. The Pasha Group, headquartered in San Rafael, is a multi-faceted transportation company with shipping services from the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii. PAS currently operates automobile marine terminals in San Diego and Grays Harbor WA.
The Port’s management agreement with PAS will allow the import and export of vehicles by ship at Pier 80, with on-terminal automobile preparation and detailing services. Vehicles would be transported by truck from Pier 80 to Northern California dealerships. It is anticipated that Pier 80 could receive approximately 96 ships per year, shipping approximately 150,000 vehicles. PAS could also manage any project, breakbulk cargo or vessel lay berthing.
“This marine terminal agreement signifies a new beginning for cargo operations at the Port of San Francisco,” said Willie Adams President of the San Francisco Port Commission. “We want the world’s shipping community to know that the Port of San Francisco is open for business.”
Other West Coast ports involved in international automobile logistics are near capacity and Pier 80 is currently an underutilized facility that can be transformed into a significant economic engine for the southeast portion of the City. Pier 80, San Francisco’s primary general cargo terminal, consists of approximately 60 acres of cargo laydown space, two warehouses, and four deep water berths. In addition to serving as a cargo terminal, Pier 80 provides the City a vital facility for emergency preparedness and resiliency in the event of a natural disaster.
It is anticipated that new autos will be imported and exported to Asia and Europe as well as the growing Mexican auto manufacturing industry. By 2020, Mexico is anticipated to build one in four vehicles driven in North America. Many autos manufactured in Mexico are shipped to the U.S. via rail, but short-sea shipping from Mexico to U.S. Ports is a growing transportation mode.
The Pier 80 terminal will employ approximately 50 longshoremen during vessel operations. The Port and PAS have collaborated with the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) to ensure that auto processing job opportunities will be focused on San Francisco residents in the nearby neighborhoods.
“This is a winning partnership for San Francisco and Pasha Automotive Services,” said Interim Port Director Elaine Forbes. “Pier 80 will again become an active maritime industrial hub while creating hundreds of new blue-collar jobs in the Southeast neighborhoods and generating additional revenue for the Port and Pasha.”
As automobile processing reaches capacity, it is anticipated that 150 new employees will be hired and trained. These jobs, which can be filled by workers with various skill levels, will enhance economic opportunities particularly in San Francisco’s southern neighborhoods. To this end PAS has entered into an agreement with CityBuild, an employment program under the Workforce Development Division of OEWD. CityBuild will work with PAS in providing screened and qualified workforce comprised of skilled San Francisco residents for all phases of work at the Pier 80 operation with a priority for residents in District 10.
The Port has worked in concert with the City, Bayview-Hunters Point communities, including the Port’s own Southern Waterfront and Maritime Commerce Advisory Committees to maintain a strong base for maritime and industrial uses in southeast San Francisco.
It estimated that an initial throughput of 115,000 autos would yield about 406 total jobs and $3.9 million in annual tax payment to State and local governments. The Port is balancing its financial risk with the rewards of an active marine terminal creating new Port revenue and economic benefits to the community.
The Port of San Francisco manages the waterfront as the gateway to a world-class city, and advances environmentally and financially sustainable maritime, recreational and economic opportunities to serve the City, Bay Area, and California.
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Media Contacts:
Renée Dunn Martin, Port of San Francisco
Tel: 415-274-0488 – Email: Renee.martin@sfport.com
Peter Dailey, Port Maritime Director
Tele: 415-274-0517 – Email: Peter.dailey@sfport.com
Tags: Bay Area, pasha automotive, port of san francisco
