L.A. port renews WWL's lease to operate large auto processing facility

The Port of Los Angeles recently renewed a long-term lease with WWL Vehicle Services Americas Inc. to continue operating a 91-acre automotive processing terminal.

The 10-year pact includes a five-year extension, which would enable WWL Vehicle Services Americas to operate the auto terminal through Jan. 1, 2027.

The facility, which processes about 200,000 vehicles annually, features a large rail yard for vehicle loading and unloading, and storage areas for up to 8,000 cars and trucks. The terminal specializes in receiving new cars shipped from overseas and preparing them for distribution and sale throughout the United States.

A Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics subsidiary and a port customer since 1969, WWL Vehicle Services Americas serves such automakers as Nissan, Nissan Diesel and Infiniti.

The agreement reflects a larger commitment to maintain a diversified cargo portfolio, port officials said in a press release.

"WWL has been an important source of jobs and revenue at the port for years," said Gary Lee Moore, the port's interim executive director.