EKA understands the vital role ports play in regional and national commerce, and the challenges of balancing operational efficiency with environmental and community concerns. Our experience includes:
- Advising on port operations and terminal concessions;
- Developing public-private partnerships (P3s) to improve freight mobility and reduce congestion;
- Navigating complex environmental compliance and sustainability requirements;
- Building coalitions among labor, business, and government to support infrastructure modernization.
From advocating for clean technology adoption to facilitating partnerships between port authorities and private logistics firms, EKA helps clients position themselves at the forefront of sustainable maritime transportation.
EKA’s Trucking and Intermodal practice focuses on the critical infrastructure that connects airports, ports, and highways. We work with clients on issues involving:
- Freight movement and logistics coordination
- Regulatory compliance and emissions reduction
- Transportation corridor planning and development
- Community engagement and stakeholder relations
By understanding both public policy and operational realities, EKA helps clients streamline transportation networks, improve safety, and support economic growth through smarter, more connected infrastructure.
EKA’s Ports & Trucking team includes former government officials, policy strategists, and communications professionals who know how to navigate complex regulatory frameworks and deliver results. EKA helps clients:
- Build lasting partnerships;
- Overcome bureaucratic challenges;
- Deliver measurable, long-term impact in transportation infrastructure.
EKA Partner Alex Cherin formerly served as Managing Director at the Port of Long Beach. EKA has represented terminal operators, steamship lines, trade associations, 3PLs, freight forwarders and logistics companies before Commissioners and staff at both ports.
In addition, EKA has significant and relevant relationships and presence in the Inland Empire, including working with the Inland Empire Economic Partnership. EKA has worked comprehensively with the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on behalf of several technology companies on several large-scale landfill projects and their related communications efforts. Our team regularly briefs members of the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA) on regulatory matters impacting trucking as well as members of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). Our team regularly presents at port industry functions including an update on truck matters at the Port of Long Beach’s annual “Pulse of the Ports” event.
Alex Cherin served as the Managing Director for Trade Relations and Port Operations at the Port of Long Beach, where he was responsible for the development and implementation of all communications related to the Ports’ first “San Pedro Bay Clean Air Action Plan.”
This plan, the first of its kind, effectuated the transition of the entire port drayage fleet from diesel engines to cleaner fuels including LNG, hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric. In conjunction with this project, Alex was the lead project manager in dealing with CARB, AQMD and federal agencies, including the EPA.
Alex Cherin has served for over 5 years as the Executive Director of the California Trucking Association’s Intermodal Conference.
In that capacity, he represents nearly 200 drayage trucking companies in all facets of their advocacy, communications and media relations efforts. This includes, but is not limited to, liaising with CARB, AQMD, and other regulatory agencies on a host of environmental and operational issues such as adoption of the Clean Air Action Plan 2.0, CARB’s Sustainable Freight Initiative and AQMD’s recent publication of its Air Quality Master Plan (2018). Efforts also include the creation of position papers, press releases and media interviews on behalf of the CTA.
Alex Cherin has also served as a communications consultant for several trucking entities in their individual adoption of zero emission and near-zero emission truck fleets.
This included the TTSI (Total Transportation Services) and IMC Group (Intermodal Cartage Group). These efforts have included the messaging of air emission benefits to a wide audience including regulatory agencies and other supply chain stakeholders.
EKA was engaged to provide strategic communications on behalf of the Port of Los Angeles sponsored HPEC (“Harbor Performance Enhancement Center”) Project.
This project is designed to convert the old LAXT terminal facility (a 500-acre parcel) into a container depot facility which will utilize electrified terminal equipment, zero-emission trucks and solar charging infrastructure.
EKA serves as primary communications manager for the deployment of Long Beach Container Terminal’s Middle Harbor Project – a $2.1 billion construction project funded jointly between LBCT and the Port of Long Beach.
The project will result in the creation of the nation’s first zero-emission container terminal facility featuring fully electrified cranes, yard equipment and trucks. It will also house the world’s largest battery exchange building. Efforts for the project include creation and distribution of press releases, preparation of briefing materials for elected officials and regulatory agencies like CARB and AQMD as well as public outreach to the Port community and placement of media pieces.