''Pier 400: Mega-Terminal'' - The Challenge - From Landfill Creation to Terminal Operations

In January 1998, the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) embarked on an aggressive marketing campaign to obtain a customer for a "Mega-Container Terminal" on Pier 400 two years in advance of completion of the future landfill. In October 1999, the POLA and Maersk-SeaLand entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for the delivery of a 484-acre terminal, the largest proprietary container terminal in the world that included 288 acres operational by early 2002 and 196 additional acres by early 2004. On August 24, 2000, the City of Los Angeles approved a 25-year lease with Maersk Pacific, Ltd. What ensued was the implementation of a very aggressive plan including resequencing and completion of the landfill, a comprehensive landfill consolidation program and accelerated design and construction schedules. The plan required a strong partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, its Contractor's and the Maersk-SeaLand team, all of which would enable the Port of Los Angeles to meet its commitment to deliver Pier 400 into a revenue producing facility.