WASHINGTON: As a former chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission and president of the Long Beach Harbor Commission, Mario Cordero is no stranger to problems facing the shipping industry. But in his new job as boss of the sprawling Port of Long Beach, Cordero will be tested as never before.Rough seas are ahead in what may be the most difficult time in the 106-year history of the port and its next-door neighbor, the Port of Los Angeles. Fortunately, Cordero’s experience and management style make him ideally suited to deal with the myriad issues confronting the port, which handles $180 billion worth of goods annually and is one of the major economic engines in Southern California.
Cordero is a great listener, a skill that will serve him well in dealing with the needs of carriers, terminal operators, cargo owners and other trade partners. While at the FMC, a postion he was appointed to by President Barack Obama in 2011, Cordero dealt first-hand with global issues and received accolades for his approach to finding solutions to challenges ranging from severe port congestion to new shipping alliances to the devastating bankruptcy of South Korean carrier Hanjin. As a Long Beach harbor commissioner appointed by then-Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill in 2003, Cordero also became an environmental champion, which included creation of the 2005 Long Beach Green Port Policy. This breakthrough policy slashed port-generated emissions and led to the Clear Air Action Plan that has reduced pollutants spewing from ships and trucks at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports.
But new issues will face Cordero when he takes over as the port’s executive director May 15. The world’s biggest shippers have created new alliances to cut costs. This could mean fewer ships and intensify competition. Analysts are watching to see if the Trump administration follows through on its protectionist talk over trade with China. Automation and its effect on unions is another big challenge. Cost overruns for construction of the new Gerald Desmond Bridge must be reined in. Cordero has his work cut out for him, but his collaborative style and years of experience will allow him to hit the ground running.
