Pier 400 was opened about  2002 after years of construction.  The plan required  40 acres being set aside for the Arctic Tern  birds  breeding ground. 

   

   

Our cruise then entered the area between piers 300 and 400 and the Terminal Island Federal Prison.  Pier 300 or Global Gateway South is home to APL, American President Lines.  At the east end of Pier 300, more shipping terminal is being constucted with landfill having been completed.  Pier 300 is also a port call to some smaller shipping lines. 

   

   

   

At Pier 400, the Maersk ship "Susan Maersk" was being loaded.  She has capacity for 8,200 containers and was the largest container ship in the world when new.  The next generation of container ships will have capacity for 10,000 containers.  Pacific Ocean container ship routes have a 34 to 38 day round trip schedule calling on a number of ports.  The Pacific Rim routes are heavy with product imports into the United States while we export scrap metal, paper and "air".  Our trade imbalance is very negative since we import high tech electronic products and vehicles. 

   

The last part of our cruise featured views of two Coast Guard ships, the last remaining dry dock and the Ports of Call tourist village.  The "Alex Haley" Coast Guard cutter ship usually patrols the Gulf of Alaska and is being refurbished here in Los Angeles.  The other Coast Guard ship "George Cobb" is a buoy tender. 

   

   

After disembarking the Spirit cruise boat, APTA attendees had 2 hours free for lunch and shopping.  I chose to have a Mexican food lunch at Acapulco Restaurant followed by a beer at San Pedro Brewing Company.  I returned to the train at 1:20 PM and soon bumped into a fellow wearing an Alaska Railroad golf shirt and hat.  I found out that he was an ARRC vice president for health, safety and environment.  Two Alaska Railroad executives were on the train for the return to Los Angeles.  They were in town for the American Short Line Association meetings in Anaheim. 

   

The Metrolink special train left a few minutes late back to Union Station.  After arrival at Union Station, I decided to tour the 13 mile MTA Gold Line with my MTA day pass ticket.  Then back to Union Station, the Red Line to the Blue Line to the car, back to home and early to bed.  It was a very long day, having traveled about 125 miles and never getting more than 25 miles from home.

Special note:  The City of Long Beach Harbor Department is sponsoring free 90 minute harbor cruises on May 7, 2005.  They do not accept reservations, but time specific tickets are available.  Tickets are available at 8:30 am May 7 at the Port's information booth at Rainbow Harbor's dock number 2.  This is close to downtown Long Beach.  Tickets for the entire day are often gone before noon.  You are encouraged to arrive early.