Navy and Port of Hueneme Help Relieve U.S. Supply-Chain Congestion

22 November 2021

From Ens. Drew Verbis, Naval Base Ventura County

PORT HUENEME, Calif. – The U.S. Navy in partnership with the Oxnard Harbor District (OHD) is providing resources onboard Port Hueneme in direct support of decreasing port congestion in Los Angeles County and reducing the national supply-chain shortage, Nov. 22, 2021.

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The U.S. Navy in partnership with the Oxnard Harbor District (OHD) is providing resources onboard Port Hueneme in direct support of efforts to decrease port congestion in Los Angeles County and reducing the national supply-chain shortage, Nov. 22, 2021.

PORT HUENEME, Calif. – The U.S. Navy in partnership with the Oxnard Harbor District (OHD) is providing resources onboard Port Hueneme in direct support of efforts to decrease port congestion in Los Angeles County and reducing the national supply-chain shortage, Nov. 22, 2021. Naval Base Ventura County is comprised of three distinct operational facilities: Point Mugu, Port Hueneme, and San Nicolas Island. It is Ventura County’s largest employer and protects Southern California’s largest coastal wetlands through its award-winning environmental program. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo/Released)

A standing Joint Use Agreement (JUA) with Naval Base Ventura County and OHD, allows the Navy to support commercial supply chain logistics when activated.

“Naval Base Ventura County recently welcomed a large cargo vessel,” said Daniel J. Herrera, assistant program director for port operations, NBVC. “Ports of America already off-loaded a large number of forty-foot containers into lot 22 onboard Port Hueneme which is merchandise expected to have direct impact with helping to support holiday supply demands.”

The Department of the Navy entered into a JUA in 2002 with the OHD, (replacing the 1994 Memorandum of Understanding) authorizing commercial use of Wharf 3 onboard NBVC, including approximately 21 acres of contiguous land, buildings 546 and 548, and if available, up to an additional 10 acres of industrial land located outside of the Wharf 3 area.

Jason Hodge, President of the OHD which owns the Port of Hueneme (POH), stated that commercial business at the port has increased significantly over the past year and when it comes to moving cargo, the Port’s flexible “Can Do” attitude is similar to the Navy Seabees’ “Can Do” motto of completing a task no matter the condition or situation.

“The Port appreciates the partnership with NBVC and locating additional space to accommodate excess holiday shipments coming through the Port,” Hodge said. “We are delighted to come together to meet the challenge of providing a solution to help keep essential goods moving. Our long-standing history of partnership continues with this call-to-action to address the national supply chain challenge.”

The JUA was activated in Nov. as a resource to help reduce the shipping congestion effecting Los Angeles County’s major ports and contributing to the national supply crisis. Vessels would arrive into the port to unload a portion of their containers before continuing on to LA County or chose to unload all their containers at the Port of Hueneme to avoid the backlog of ships farther south.

“The Navy recognizes the importance of being good neighbors with our local communities, and makes every effort to provide support when current operational requirements allow,” said Capt. Robert ‘Barr” Kimnach III, commanding officer, NBVC. “The joint use agreement between Naval Base Ventura County and the Oxnard Harbor District is in direct support of reducing port congestion and the national supply-chain shortage and demonstrates one example of the positive, long-term partnership between the Navy and the local community.”

Kristin Decas, POH Director & Chief Executive Officer stated that the Port and NBVC have enjoyed a strong tradition of partnership and joint use dating back to the 1940s, supporting our economy and national defense.

“This collaboration is in full force today as we work together on ways to address the supply chain crisis,” said Decas. “We are grateful to the base for securing real estate to help stage the backlog of containers, enabling us to take on more cargo, avoid congestion here at POH and get important commodities to market including electronics, furniture, apparel and our traditional agricultural and automobile products.”

NBVC is comprised of three distinct operational facilities: Point Mugu, Port Hueneme and San Nicolas Island. It is Ventura County’s largest employer and protects Southern California’s largest coastal wetlands through its award-winning environmental program.

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