A record crowd of more than 900 industry and community representatives gathered for the 11th annual State of the Port, where Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka outlined his vision for the future, highlighting “Build Bigger and Build Smarter” investment priorities.
Hosted by the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association since 2016, ticket proceeds from the event have now raised more than USD350,000 for local non-profit organisations. This year’s recipients were EXP and the Toberman Neighbourhood Center in San Pedro.
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Seroka announced the port handled 10.2 million container units in 2025, the third best in the port’s 118-year history and the third time exceeding 10 million TEUs. He credited that success and the port’s 26th consecutive year as the nation’s busiest port to the hard work of the larger port community and its many stakeholders.
“Every record set and every bar raised is a direct result of the dedication and commitment of the people who make this port work,” Seroka told attendees gathered at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles. “Cargo remains the lifeblood of the US economy. American farmers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers all depend on how well we move that cargo.”
In anticipation of future cargo demand, Seroka laid out the port’s investment priorities for 2026 and beyond. His “Build Bigger and Build Smarter” framework outlined key port investments in infrastructure, technology, community and the environment.
On the theme of “Building Bigger,” Seroka highlighted several of the port’s signature infrastructure projects in anticipation of future cargo volume increases. Among these is the proposed Pier 500 Marine Container Terminal, an expansion that would significantly increase the port’s overall cargo capacity. A Request for Proposals was issued by the port in October to evaluate interest and feasibility of the proposed project.
“Pier 500 would be the first new container terminal to be developed at the port in a generation,” Seroka said. “We envision it to be the greenest, cleanest terminal in the world. It will be an investment in our workforce, sustainability, resilience and innovation—keeping us ready for the opportunities of tomorrow.”
Other infrastructure projects highlighted by Seroka include the Maritime Support Facility, a dedicated hub on Terminal Island for chassis parking and container pick-up and drop-off; an expansion at Fenix Marine Services Terminal on Pier 300; and proposed wharf and rail upgrades at LA TiL Container Terminal in the West Basin.
Expanding the port’s growing cruise business is also a priority. Last year, the port had a record 1.6 million passengers on 241 cruise calls, and more growth is expected in the future.
Seroka announced that Pacific Cruise Terminals, a joint venture between Carrix, Inc. and JLC Infrastructure, has been selected to transform the Outer Harbour with a new world-class Cruise Centre.
“Carrix is one of North America’s leading cruise terminal operators with a great track record developing large-scale infrastructure projects,” Seroka said. “Together, we’ll establish Los Angeles as the primary West Coast gateway for cruising and strengthen our position for decades to come.”
Speaking to the need to “Build Smarter,” Seroka reiterated the benefits of the Port’s continued investment in technology like the Port Optimizer™, Signal and Universal Truck Appointment System, all of which have helped port partners better predict and manage cargo flow at the Port. An USD8 million California GO-Biz grant will extend the port’s truck appointment system to terminals in neighbouring Long Beach, as well as support enhanced data-sharing among five major container ports in the state.
Investment in the LA Waterfront continues on multiple fronts. The grand opening of West Harbour retail and dining centre is slated for this summer, and ground-breaking on the Avalon Pedestrian Bridge is set for February. The latter will link the Wilmington community directly to the new Wilmington Waterfront Promenade.
The Build Bigger and Build Smarter framework also means Building Sustainably.
Seroka noted the port’s latest emissions report showed that the port had achieved the lowest emissions ever on a per-TEU basis of any port in the world. Upcoming projects are expected to help further those gains, including a Collaborative Agreement with the South Coast Air Quality Management District to develop zero-emissions infrastructure. A usd412 million EPA Clean Ports grant announced last year— coupled with USD230 million in non-federal funding—will also bring more zero-emission equipment to port terminals in the future.
“All this environmental work—the record-low emissions, the ground-breaking agreement with AQMD, the projects on our terminals—is an essential part of our collective DNA,” Seroka told the crowd. “No other port complex in the world is tackling these challenges at this pace and with this level of success. I thank all of you for being the partners to make this happen.”