The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday confirmed two of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s nominees to the Board of Harbor Commissioners, which is charged with finding ways to reduce pollution and increase business at the nation’s busiest port.

Robin Kramer and David Arian will fill two vacancies that were created over the past several months on the five-member civilian panel that oversees the Port of Los Angeles.

During the confirmation hearing, Kramer and Arian told the City Council that they would continue efforts to develop the San Pedro waterfront, along with charting a course to bolster cargo shipments while reducing harmful emissions from trucks, ships and locomotives.

Arian is a retired longshoreman who worked on the docks of the Port of Los Angeles for 44 years and served as a leader for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. He was elected to various offices of ILWU Local 13 and also served as the union’s international president from 1991-94.

From the Daily Breeze