Ports & Trucking
EKA has significant experience working on high profile transportation projects at the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach involving transportation, air quality and climate change issues. 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.
- San Pedro Bay Clean Air Action Plan: 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.
- California Trucking Association: 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.
- TTSI/IMC Group: 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, including 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.
- HPEC Project: 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.
- LBCT Middle Harbor Project: 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.