Port Of L.A. Exec Points Finger At Trade War As Exports Decline
Exports moving through the Port of Los Angeles have been declining for 11 straight months, according to an announcement made by the port today. Executive Director Gene Seroka cited America’s ongoing trade dispute with China as the cause. “The ill-advised U.S.-China trade war continues to wreak havoc on American exporters and manufacturers,” he stated, noting that many containers are being sent back to Asia empty of goods. “It’s likely we’ll see softer volumes in the fourth quarter. We must have a negotiated settlement of the trade war as it is beginning to impact the more than three million jobs in the U.S. that are tied to this port complex.” Overall, the port experienced a 2.7% decline in cargo volumes in September compared to the same month in 2018. Exports decreased 11%, imports declined 2.9%, and the shipment of empty containers overseas increased by 2.9%, according to the port’s statement.

Active Shooter Training To Be Conducted For Long Beach Hotels
The Long Beach Hospitality Alliance announced today that it is sponsoring active shooter awareness training for all Long Beach hotels on October 17 at the Westin Long Beach, 333 E. Ocean Blvd. Vince Latigue, a retired U.S. Army officer and member of hotel and security company Compass360HS, is providing the training. Latigue has decades of security experience with Marriott and IHG hotels, and his trainings are certified by numerous hotel associations and hotel brands, according to the alliance. “Although we hope we never have to respond to an active shooter, this training will help us reduce the likelihood of such an incident and react correctly to protect our guests and employees should one occur,” Heather Rozman, executive director of the Long Beach Hospitality Alliance, stated. The training follows a recent incident in which a Long Beach Marriott employee threatened to initiate a mass shooting in his workplace.

Virgin Orbit Partners With Polish Scientists For Mars Satellite Project
This week, Long Beach-based satellite company Virgin Orbit announced its partnership with Poland-based satellite company SatRevolution, as well as scientists and engineers from nearly a dozen Polish universities, to design and implement a commercial small satellite mission to Mars. The formal announcement was made during a recent conference in Katowice, Poland. The consortium will jointly develop the first of up to three Mars missions, with the initial launch expected as early as three years from now, according to the announcement. The mission will deploy from a Virgin Orbit LauncherOne rocket, an air-launch platform capable of operating from spaceports around the world. The company’s first orbital rocket is currently undergoing final preparation for a planned test flight later this year. “Virgin Orbit is thrilled to join this consortium, as it speaks directly to our mantra of ‘opening space for everyone,’” Stephen Eisele, Virgin Orbit’s vice president of business development, stated.

State Treasurer Announces New Committee Focused On Housing And Economic Development
On Wednesday, California State Treasurer Fiona Ma announced 12 appointees to a newly formed ad hoc committee designed to assist her office in finding “out-of-the-box” strategies to advance its housing and economic development goals, according to a press release. The treasurer’s goals, as outlined when she was sworn into office in January, include increasing housing production, creating more opportunities for people of color in the development and investment space, and opening up “opportunities for wealth building for all individuals irrespective of the zip code they live in.” Appointees to the new committee include the pediatrician, philanthropist and wife of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan, Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren and a diverse group of business executives. “This committee is the type of public-private partnership needed to provide the treasurer with additional intellectual capital to help achieve her goals,” Deputy Treasurer Jovan Agee stated.

Annual CITT Town Hall To Focus On ‘Smart Port Of The Future’
The Center For International Trade & Transportation (CITT) is hosting its annual State of the Trade and Transportation Industry town hall on Tuesday, October 15, 7:30-10 a.m. at the Hotel Maya (700 Queensway Dr.). This year’s event focuses on the “Smart Port of the Future,” by examining the port’s interplay with the economy, the environment, technology and the workforce. The event is free. To register, click here.