Port Misperceptions

There seems to be a misperception about the port’s two marine cargo terminals — the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal in San Diego, just south of the San Diego Convention Center and the National City Marine Terminal in National City, just south of San Diego Naval Base.

These two terminals have thriving cargo operations. Dole Fresh Fruits imports millions of bananas and other fruit on containers. Steel, sand, newsprint, fertilizer, cement, alternative energy equipment and other products also arrive daily at the terminal.

Pasha Automotive Services imports and exports more than 530,000 vehicles through the National City Marine Terminal. And every two weeks, barges loaded with wood supply Dixieline Lumber and Weyerhaeuser. These products are key to the economic sustainability of our region now and in the future.

This activity is in stark contrast to words “wasteland” and “underutilized,” which are sometimes bandied about to describe these economic engines.

Closing even one terminal would cast a cloud over the region’s ability to grow economically in the future. That is why the Cruise Ship Terminal needs to stay where it is and not move to the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.

— STEVE CUSHMAN