APM LA automation permit vetoed by council

Last month, the Los Angeles Harbor Commission voted to deny an International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) appeal against a permit application for APM Terminals to carry out modernisation work to introduce driverless electric cargo trucks at the Port of Los Angeles’ Pier 400. APM Terminals told Port Strategy this meant the permit had been approved, but this latest hurdle will now prolong the wait.

“We are disappointed by the LA City Council who disregarded the actions of the Port of Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners vote – and like Councilman Buscaino mentioned we hope the situation will be resolved in the near future,” said APM Terminals in a statement.

Boyd was referring to Councilman Joe Buscaino, reported FreightWaves. Maersk’s permit application failed to detail the economic impact of the automation, according to Mr Buscaino.

The project is “impacting hundreds of jobs,” Mr Buscaino said. “That merits a broader discussion. We must be a city where technology creates jobs and not kills jobs.”

Prior to the Commission vote last month, a longstanding disagreement between APM and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) saw the latter argue that approval of the permit would result in job losses at the port, resulting in commissioners twice delay a decision on the permit to discuss the implications of the project.

By Rebecca Jeffrey