In his first State of the Port of Long Beach, incoming CEO Noel Hacegaba embraced investments in infrastructure and green investments.

Hacegaba also reported that Long Beach Port had its busiest year: “Together, we handled 9.9 million TEUs, making it our busiest year ever.”

This was achieved despite record tariffs imposed by the Trump administration: “Now, I don’t want to minimize the impact of the tariff uncertainty. Certain segments in the supply chain felt the impacts more than others, like our drayage providers. Tariffs also impacted our exporters. China’s retaliatory tariffs led to a decrease in U.S. exports across most agricultural commodities.”

He cited the example of soybeans: “America produces 28% of the world’s soybeans, and it’s a commodity in high demand in Asia, where it is used in so many dishes. In 2024, China was the Port’s number three destination for soybean exports, with more than 13,000 TEUs. However, last year, we shipped only 665 TEUs of soybean exports to China, representing a 95% decline from the prior year. As trade policies shifted, China started sourcing more soybeans from other countries, mainly Brazil, which produces 40% of the world’s soybeans. At the same time, we saw an increase in soybean exports to Indonesia.”

This has resulted in a decline in trade with China. “The point is that tariffs have an immediate effect – but they also reshape trade patterns. Six years ago, about 70% of all our cargo imports and exports were tied to China. Today, that’s down to 60%. As a result, we are seeing more cargo come from Vietnam, Thailand, and other countries in Southeast Asia.”

The Port is keeping a close eye on the upcoming Supreme Court decision on the legality of the Trump administration’s tariffs: “We continue to keep a close eye on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act case, which is expected to be announced any day. The Supreme Court’s opinion is poised to rule on the legality of the tariffs, but it will not remove the uncertainty already created by tariffs. The only certainty is more uncertainty.”

Green Policies

Hacegaba said that since 2005, “We have reduced every category of emissions, diesel particulate matter, NOx, SOx, and greenhouse gases even as our cargo volumes increased by 44%. And we’re not finished. Working in partnership with our friends at the Port of Los Angeles and ports in Shanghai and Singapore, we are accelerating the use of cargo vessels powered by clean fuels, like methanol.”

Hacegaba praised ocean carrier participants in the effort: “I am pleased to report the progress we have already achieved with our green shipping corridors: shipping lines like COSCO, CMA CGM, Evergreen, Maersk and ONE, among others, are already investing in new vessels powered by clean fuels.”

Hacegaba also cited container terminals that are supporting the green fuel effort: “I am also pleased to announce that COSCO Shipping has deployed a regular methanol-capable service to our Long Beach Container Terminal, signaling the growing demand for alternative marine fuel. And Pier A and Pier C already offer LNG bunkering for the LNG-capable ships calling at their docks.”

A new cooperative agreement was recently signed with the South Coast Air Quality Management District: “The most significant partnership in support of cleaner air was adopted last November, when the Long Beach and Los Angeles harbor commissions approved a cooperative agreement with the South Coast Air Quality Management District. This first-of-its-kind agreement contains time-bound and enforceable commitments to develop zero-emissions infrastructure at the nation’s largest port complex. This cooperative agreement would not have been possible without the leadership of our Mayor, the guidance of our Harbor Commission, the diligence of our staff, the cooperation of our partners at AQMD and the City and Port of Los Angeles, and the strong support of partners like PMSA and ILWU. This important agreement sets us on a path to ensure we meet our zero-emissions goals faster.”

The Port is also working to develop Green Trucking corridors: “We are also working with key partners to establish the nation’s first Green Trucking Corridor. It’s time that we take the success of our green shipping corridors inland and deploy the cleanest trucks in some of the busiest trucking routes in our region.”

Hacegaba also cited the example of 4 Gen Logistics: “4 Gen Logistics met its commitment to become a 100% zero-emissions drayage company, making 4 Gen the first drayage company in the nation with more than 75 trucks and a fully zero-emissions fleet, and with most of that fleet charging and residing in our Port.”

Hacegaba also emphasized the Port’s support for the International Maritime Organization (IMO)and its goal of zero emission shipping by 2050: “2050 is an important year for our industry: The International Maritime Organization established a legally binding framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships globally, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.”

Terminal Upgrades

There were several terminal upgrades in 2025: "In July, a groundbreaking with our long-valued tenant, International Transportation Service, and Macquarie Asset Management, to create 19 acres of new land at Pier G and build a single, continuous wharf measuring 3,400 feet. The improvements will enable ITS to host two of the industry’s largest cargo ships concurrently, with 50% more capacity to handle more containers efficiently at this outer harbor terminal.”

The proposed development of “the first conventional, zero-emissions container terminal in the world. In November, our Harbor Commission approved an exclusivity agreement with Brookfield Infrastructure Group, which is partnering with Nautilus International on the proposed development of Metro Express Terminal, on Pier S, contemplated to handle up to 1.8 million TEUs annually for express vessels of up to 9,000 TEUs.”

Pacific Container Terminal “at Pier J looks forward to the Deep Draft Navigation project that we are pursuing with our partners at the Army Corps of Engineers.”

On Dock Rail

Progress continues with the Pier B on dock rail project: “The development of modern, sustainable infrastructure is all part of our 10-year, $3.2 BILLION-DOLLAR Capital Improvement Program, the largest of any seaport in North America. And the centerpiece of this is the $1.8 billion-dollar On-Dock Rail Support Facility at Pier B. We call it America’s Green Gateway. It will double the acreage of the existing rail yard and more than triple the volume of cargo moved by rail from 1.5 to 4.7 million TEUs.”

This would be complemented by proposed rail mergers: "Last July, the railroad sector made major news with the proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. This would establish the first transcontinental railroad in U.S. history. And, in November, BNSF Railway and CSX announced the expansion of their intermodal partnership for faster interline service connecting Long Beach with rail terminals in the Ohio Valley and the Northeast. This will cut transit times by as many as two days."

Meanwhile, BNSF continues “to build the Barstow International Gateway. This BIG project will improve supply chain fluidity and enhance the competitiveness of the nation’s largest port complex.”

CargoNav Platform and Truck Appointments

The Port launched the Supply Chain Information Highway a few years ago. "It was more than just a platform – it was a vision for unleashing the power of data sharing across the nation’s transportation system, where each port, through its own community portal. Today, I am pleased to announce the latest development in our ongoing quest to improve visibility. It offers many features and functionalities that will help our cargo owners navigate the supply chain. We call it “CargoNav.”

CargoNav is a “digital platform, designed to give you the ability to track shipments, plan operations, and maximize visibility and efficiency with real-time, accurate data. CargoNav will help you navigate the supply chain one container at a time, from point of origin to arrival at the dock and shipment to final destination.”

In addition, the Port will be launching a new Universal Trucking Appointment System leveraging “our new CargoNav platform, partially funded by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.”

Offshore Wind

Hacegaba reported new funding for its proposed offshore wind port called Pier Wind: “In October, we received $20 million from the California Energy Commission to help us advance the project, which continues to undergo extensive environmental review. Our Pier Wind partnership with the Port of Humboldt Bay and the California Energy Commission is as strong as the Pacific winds that will generate renewable power and secure California’s energy future.”