THE Port of Long Beach and US Army Corps of Engineers want to deepen and widen shipping channels and selected berths at the port to provide greater access to mega ships, reports American Shipper. "Even though we are 'big ship ready', there are opportunities that have been identified within the port to improve or make navigation even more efficient so that vessel and goods movement can be more efficient within the Port of Long Beach," said port programme manager Eric Paulsen. Said Jacobsen Pilot Service CEO Thomas Jacobsen: "We are expecting a 19,000- or 20,000-TEU ship here pretty soon."