<\/a>As time goes on, technological advancements are to be expected. For many industries, the growth of technology is a great thing, as it helps innovate new products in electronics, medicine, and more. But for workers at ports across the world, increases in automation, technology and robotics threaten local workers\u2019 jobs.<\/p>\n This debate hits especially close to home, as the ports in California alone handle 40 percent<\/a> of U.S. container traffic. With the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach being the two biggest ports in America, they are also one of the main employers of the region. Between port operations and commerce, the Port of Los Angeles supplies over 133,000<\/a> jobs in the LA area. The Port of Long Beach accounts for over 30,000<\/a> jobs in Long Beach alone through its 20 divisions.<\/p>\n If the ports went completely automated, would all these people be out of work?<\/p>\n Of course, the answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no. While not every single employee at each respective port would be out of a job, certain jobs like terminal operators may be at the most risk.<\/p>\n <\/a>The most recent automation update at ports is in the yard cranes. According to Port Technology,<\/a> several ports around the world like Singapore, Germany and Holland have already adopted automatic crane use, and local ports have installed a few as well. The technology installed in these cranes allows for precise automatic pick-up of containers, drop-off, and perfect stacking.<\/p>\n Naturally, there are both advantages and disadvantages to adopting automation in the ports. One advantage is the efficiency and accuracy by which robots are able to do work. Automation would allow for a greater amount of goods and containers to get through ports and it would make the transaction turnarounds even quicker.<\/p>\n