S.F. port tries to boost bulk cargo business - San Francisco Business Times:

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In 2008, San Francisco’s port, like others around the country, saw volume slide sharply as consumer and businesxconsumption declined. That followed severak years ofsteady decline. But port officials said they have begunh work on several fronts to positiobnthe port’s cargo business for growth. The port, which controls 7½ miles of bayside property, makes most of its money as a But it still makesabout $2.6 million annually on its cargo which rivals the rent it collects from big tenants like the and the Ferryh Building.
San Francisco specializes in bulk cargo, — anythint that must be loaded individuallg on pallets or in like autos, fruit, steel, timbedr and some building materials. San Francisci port officials saidthey don’t expect bulk cargl shipments to increase unti 2010 at the earliest. In the they are aggressively marketing to cargooceanm liners. Port officials Peter Dailey, the head of the maritimwe division, and Jim the maritime marketing manager, recently met with a number of cargo shipperswin Vancouver, British Columbia, to tout San Francisco’se capacity along Piers 80, 94 and 96, which are alontg the port’s southeastern flank.
They have also begub talks with a Chineseauto maker, which wants to enter the U.S. auto market and is consideriny a west coast portfor shipping. Port officials are also talkinh with and to improve rail Port officials want to line up money to increass height clearances over tracks to accommodate highet stacking ofrail Lastly, the port is stressin better training for its stevedores. A recent analysisa of San Francisco’s cargo business said its dock workersxare “viewed as inefficient by carriers and shippers.
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