The Port of Long Beach is defining what’s possible as the Port of the Future by spurring innovation and building the infrastructure needed to double its cargo throughput by 2050, Port CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba said recently during his first State of the Port address.
While announcing a record-setting 2025 with nearly 9.9 million cargo containers moved with no backlogs or delays, Hacegaba said a newly released forecast shows the Port of Long Beach is projected to move 20 million containers annually by 2050.
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“We have 24 years to prepare to double our container throughput and figure out how we’re going to handle all that additional cargo quickly, safely, efficiently and sustainably,” Hacegaba told 1,300 industry partners, community members and civic and labor leaders gathered at the Long Beach Arena for the State of the Port address – available for viewing now at www.polb.com/stateoftheport.
“We have set our sights on 2050 because thinking big and planning ahead are critical to our collective success,” Hacegaba said. “Speed to market is the key to our success and rail connectivity is the key to our future.”
Hacegaba noted that the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility will move cargo containers from ships to trains in less than 24 hours and improve connectivity with inland destinations. The $1.8 billion project is on track for completion in 2032, aimed at tripling the volume of cargo moved by on-dock rail to 4.7 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUS).
Achieving environmental goals while maximizing operations remains a priority as the port explores the proposed development of the first conventional, zero-emissions container terminal in the world. If approved, the Metro Express Terminal at Pier S would handle up to 1.8 million TEUs annually to serve express vessel services. It would also be equipped with human-operated cargo handling equipment powered by renewable energy to serve express vessel services.
“This public jewel, entrusted to us on behalf of the people of this great state, comes with great obligations, to be responsible as stewards of the land, water and air,” said Long Beach Harbour Commission President Frank Colonna during his remarks at the event. “This is our city, our port. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of customer service, ensuring our clients, tenants and all port users can move their goods efficiently.”
Predicting trade flows will help advance the Port of the Future through the use of CargoNav, the digital cargo visibility tool that blossomed out of the Supply Chain Information Highway to track shipments, plan operations and maximise efficiency, Hacegaba said.
Soon, CargoNav will be equipped with a Universal Trucking Appointment System, a one-stop shop that was partially funded by the governor’s GoBiz office and will allow motor carriers to schedule the pickup and drop-off of containers at any of the Port’s six marine terminals – and eventually the entire San Pedro Bay.
“The Port of Long Beach is entering a pivotal decade — one defined by bold climate leadership, digital transformation, and generational investments in infrastructure. Over the past several years, the port has strengthened its foundation, expanded its capabilities, and proven it can lead even through unprecedented challenges,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “As we look ahead, our new CEO, Dr. Noel Hacegaba, is exceptionally well-positioned to guide this next chapter — accelerating zero-emission operations, enhancing global competitiveness, and continuing to deliver economic opportunity for Long Beach. Together, we’ll build the port of the future and reinforce Long Beach’s leadership in sustainability and innovation.”
The Port of Long Beach moved 48.9% of the cargo moving through the San Pedro Bay last year, with the share anticipated to continue growing over the next several years.
The port ended 2025 with 9,881,595 TEUs processed, up 2.4% from the previous record of more than 9.6 million TEUs moved in 2024. Imports rose 1.1% to 4,779,559 TEUs and exports declined 5.5% to 1,141,113 TEUs compared to 2024. Empty containers moved through the Port were up 6.7% to 3,960,925 TEUs. For complete cargo numbers, visit polb.com/statistics.
For the first time, five of the port’s six container terminals handled more than 1 million TEUs each in 2025 – two processing more than 2 million TEUs each. Last year also marked the third time the Port of Long Beach moved more than 9 million cargo containers, this time coming within six to seven vessels of reaching 10 million.
Looking ahead, Hacegaba said 2026 would be another busy year shaped by changes in trade policies, tariff normalisation and shifts in manufacturing sourcing. He projected more than 9 million TEUs would move through Long Beach this year, making it one of the port’s five busiest on record.