Author: gabby

Last Friday, we had the pleasure of hosting our YTI Holiday Dinner, bringing together YTI team members and valued industry partners for an evening of connection, reflection, and celebration. The event provided a chance to step away from the day-to-day and look back on an impactful year while enjoying time together.

During the evening, Alan McCorkle shared thoughtful remarks recognizing the YTI team for their consistent dedication and hard work throughout the year. We also celebrated team members reaching milestone anniversaries ranging from 5 to 30 years, honoring the commitment and contributions of those who have helped shape YTI over time.

The celebration wouldn’t have been complete without a little holiday fun. Our Ugly Christmas Sweater competition brought plenty of laughter and festive spirit, with creative entries from both the ladies and men. Congratulations to our winners, Craig Samoy and Suzanne Contreras, who took home top honors in their respective categories.

The evening was filled with meaningful moments, laughter, and appreciation, bringing the YTI team together to reflect on a successful year and head into the holiday season feeling connected and grateful.

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of hosting our Annual Trucker Holiday Lunch Celebration, a tradition we look forward to each year. The event provided a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces in the trucking community while also welcoming companies that are new to us. It was a moment to pause, connect, and express our appreciation for the hard work and dedication that keep our industry moving every day.

During the celebration, Alan McCorkle shared thoughtful remarks highlighting the vital partnership between the trucking community and Yusen Terminals. He spoke to the importance of collaboration and mutual support, reinforcing how essential these relationships are to our daily operations and long-term success. His message served as a reminder of our continued commitment to working closely with our trucking partners.

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who joined us, including members of the trucking community and our YTI team. We truly appreciate you taking the time to spend part of your holiday season with us, and we hope the celebration added a little extra cheer to your week. We look forward to continuing these partnerships in the year ahead.

This week, we had the pleasure of participating in the Salvation Army’s Christmas Adopt-A-Family program, an initiative designed to help out low-income families during the holidays and times of need. Year after year, this program continues to be a meaningful and heartwarming way for us to give back to families within our community during the holiday season.

This year, YTI was proud to help out a total of 36 participants enrolled in the program, including both families and individual children. Contributions were shared across departments, with the Rail, Yard, Marine, and Customer Service and Communications teams each taking on four children, while Dispatch took on five. Coming together as one team allowed us to make a meaningful difference for families and children who need it most during this special time of year.

We would also like to extend a special thank you to Barbara Jansen for spearheading this program at YTI for several years. As she prepares to retire at the end of this year, we want to recognize her dedication, leadership, and continued commitment to giving back. Her efforts have made a lasting impact, and she will be greatly missed as she begins her next chapter.

Giving back as a team made this holiday season even more meaningful, and we are proud to be part of a workplace and community that values compassion, generosity, and connection.

Earlier this week, Yusen Terminals hosted its bi-monthly Safety Focus Meeting, bringing together representatives from Triangle Group/ ADP Express, Pac9, Cal Cartage, Overseas Freight, UUL Transportation, IMC Logistics, and JC Transport. These small-group sessions are intentionally designed to encourage open conversation, strengthen collaboration, and reinforce the shared responsibility we all have in maintaining a safe working environment at YTI.

Throughout the meeting, participants discussed current safety practices, recent observations, and opportunities to prevent potential risks before they occur. These conversations highlight a core belief that guides our operations: safety is ongoing, and every incident is preventable. By creating space for honest dialogue and shared learning, we continue to align our partners with YTI’s expectations and deepen our collective commitment to safe operations.

As always, we appreciate the partnership and engagement from all who joined us. Their dedication plays a key role in helping us build a safer terminal, protect our workforce, and ensure everyone goes home safely at the end of each day.

Earlier today, Yusen Terminals had the pleasure of welcoming students from the Crespi Carmelite High School STEM Program for an educational tour of our facility. The group arrived with impressive enthusiasm, engaging deeply with our team and asking thoughtful questions about our operations, technology, and sustainability initiatives. Their curiosity and focus made for a dynamic visit and highlighted the importance of hands-on learning in understanding real-world logistics.

It was truly inspiring to see these future innovators take such genuine interest in port operations and the evolving landscape of the logistics industry. At Yusen Terminals, we value every opportunity to support educational programs that spark curiosity and encourage students to explore STEM career pathways. We’re proud to play a small part in their journey and look forward to continuing partnerships that help shape the next generation of leaders.

Yesterday, we were proud to sponsor and attend the Propeller Club’s “Fireside Chat,” featuring industry leaders Mike DiBernardo and Dr. Noel Hacegaba, and moderated by our own Alan McCorkle. This annual event, a valued tradition since 2019, brings together port leaders committed to sharing insights, strengthening collaboration, and fostering meaningful dialogue within the maritime community.

The discussion offered a reflective look back at the past year, with each speaker describing 2024 in just one word. Dr. Hacegaba chose “surprised,” highlighting the strong volumes and consistent service delivered by both ports and their partners. Mr. DiBernardo described the year as a “rollercoaster,” capturing the challenges and fluctuations in cargo volumes as BCOs navigated evolving tariff environments.

This Fireside Chat not only provided valuable industry insights but also underscored the importance of long-standing relationships and collaboration. Events like this remind us of the dedication and commitment of leaders who continually work to advance the maritime industry.

We’re grateful to support such events and look forward to the continued conversations and connections that drive progress and innovation in our ports.

Last week, Yusen Terminals representatives Ken Fletcher, Diane Leider, and Eric Martinez attended a meet-and-greet with the Los Angeles Port Police at their San Pedro headquarters. The gathering brought together team members from multiple port facilities, offering a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the Port Police about their ongoing outreach programs, operational priorities, and hazmat response initiatives. The presentation provided helpful insight into the critical work the Port Police undertake to ensure the safety and security of the port complex.

Beyond the informational briefing, the event served as a meaningful touchpoint for strengthening relationships across the port community. We truly appreciate the chance to connect with the Port Police team and fellow industry partners. Engagements like these help deepen collaboration, improve communication, and reinforce the shared commitment we all have to maintaining a safe, resilient, and efficient port environment.

Yusen Terminals was proud to attend and sponsor EXP’s 15th Annual Career Discovery Day: GPS Your Future! The event, hosted at California State University, Dominguez Hills, brought together more than 400 high school students and 30+ organizations, all focused on helping young people explore exciting and high-growth career opportunities.

Our team, Fran Ohlheiser, Suzanne Contreras, and Gabby Ching, represented YTI at the event, sharing insights into the maritime transportation and logistics industry. Students had the chance to learn about terminal operations, hear firsthand about real-world career paths, and discover how our work keeps global trade moving. It was an energizing day filled with curiosity, conversation, and inspiration.

We’re grateful to EXP for organizing this impactful event and for their continued dedication to empowering the next generation through hands-on learning and industry connections. Yusen Terminals is proud to play a part in helping students chart their futures and explore the many opportunities within our field.

Yesterday, Yusen Terminals had the honor of welcoming a delegation from the Shimizu Port Promotion Association, including representatives from Suzuyo Corporation and other key organizations. Their visit provided an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas and showcase how ports around the world are working toward a more efficient and sustainable future.

During the visit, the group toured our terminal and observed the Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC) RTGs in action, an innovation that reflects YTI’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and operational efficiency. The discussions centered around sustainability, innovation, and how global collaboration can help drive progress in maritime logistics.

We sincerely thank the Shimizu Port Promotion Association for taking the time to visit us and for the thoughtful gifts they shared with our team. We value these opportunities to strengthen international partnerships and look forward to continued collaboration in support of a greener, more connected future in maritime transportation.

As part of our Annual Health & Safety Fair, Yusen Terminals proudly hosted another blood drive, partnering with Cedars-Sinai Blood Drive Team, continuing our tradition of giving back to the community. Thanks to the generosity of everyone who donated, we collected 65 pints of blood, enough to help save up to 195 lives.

A huge thank you to all YTI employees who donated and made this life-saving effort possible. Your willingness to step up and give truly represents the heart of our team.

We’d also like to give a special shoutout to Kenny Hunter, who has been part of the YTI family for many years and once again led the coordination of this meaningful event. Your dedication and commitment to supporting both our team and the broader community truly embody YTI’s values.

Later that day, we had the pleasure of welcoming Kenny’s family for a special terminal tour, celebrating his long-standing contributions and giving them a behind-the-scenes look at where he’s made such an impact. It was a wonderful way to end a day filled with generosity, connection, and pride.

Thank you to all who donated and participated, together, we’re making a real difference!

Yesterday, Yusen Terminals hosted our Annual Health & Safety Fair: The Great Health & Safety Carnival! The event was filled with energy, learning, and a strong sense of community as employees, partners, and guests came together to celebrate safety and wellness at our terminal.

Our ILWU workforce, YTI employees, and participating vendors connected through a series of engaging booths and activities that highlighted important topics in health, safety, and overall well-being. Vendors shared valuable resources, giveaways, and hands-on demonstrations that encouraged everyone to stay informed and proactive about safety, both on and off the job. In addition, we hosted an on-site blood drive to help support ongoing community health efforts.

A huge thank you to all our vendors and attendees who made this year’s fair a success. It was wonderful to see everyone come together in the spirit of safety, teamwork, and community, making this year’s event one to remember!

Last night, Yusen Terminals had the honor of sponsoring and attending the ISC Maritime Industry Salute 2025, held aboard the historic USS Iowa. The event brought together members of the waterfront community to celebrate those who keep our ports thriving and connected.

This year’s celebration recognized Pacific Harbor Line, Inc. and President Otis Cliatt II for their remarkable leadership and contributions to the success of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Their continued dedication ensures smooth port operations and strengthens collaboration across the maritime industry. We extend our warmest congratulations to PHL and President Cliatt on this well-deserved recognition and deeply value our ongoing partnership built on trust, teamwork, and shared goals.

The evening also served as a powerful reminder of the unseen yet essential contributions of seafarers, the men and women who power one of the nation’s strongest economic engines. The International Seafarers Center’s mission to provide a welcoming “home away from home” for visiting seafarers is one Yusen Terminals is proud to support. We’re grateful to be part of a community that continues to uplift and celebrate those who make global trade possible.

A heartfelt thank you to our YTI team who represented us at this inspiring event, and to our special guest, Erika Migliaccio of Upstream HR Strategies, for joining us in honoring the heart of our maritime community.