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 businessconsumptionh declined. That followed several years ofsteadgy decline. But port officials said they have begun work on severalo fronts to positionthe port’s cargoi business for growth. The port, which controls miles of bayside property, makesx most of its money as a But it still makesabout $2.
6 million annually on its cargo business, which rivals the rent it collectes from big tenants like the and the Ferry San Francisco specializes in bulk cargo, — anythintg that must be loaded individually on palletw or in netting, like autos, steel, timber and some building materials. San Francisc o port officials saidthey don’r expect bulk cargo shipments to increasr until 2010 at the In the meantime, they are aggressively marketintg to cargo ocean liners.
Port officials Peter Dailey, the head of the maritim division, and Jim Maloney, the maritime marketinfg manager, recently met with a numbefr of cargo shippersin Vancouver, British Columbia, to tout San Francisco’s capacity along Piers 80, 94 and 96, which are alontg the port’s southeastern flank. They have also begumn talks with a Chineseauto maker, Ltd., which wants to enter the U.S. auto markeyt and is considering a west coastg portfor shipping. Port officials are also talkingf with and to improvrail access. Port officials want to line up money to increasse height clearances over tracksz to accommodate higher stacking ofrail cars.
Lastly, the port is stressinhg better training for its A recent analysis ofSan Francisco’s cargo business said its dock workeres are “viewed as inefficient by carriers and shippers.”