Long Beach Port CEO Highlights Progress Amid Challenges

The Port of Long Beach, under the leadership of CEO Noel Hacegaba, showcased its ambitious plans and past achievements during its recent State of the Port address. Despite a backdrop of uncertainty, the port aims to position itself as a leader in sustainable practices and infrastructure development.

During the event, Mayor Rex Richardson praised a recent agreement with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), which is designed to advance zero-emission infrastructure while protecting local jobs. “This landmark agreement puts a major step forward toward faster, cleaner, zero-emissions infrastructure,” Richardson stated.

However, not all feedback has been positive. The nonprofit news organization CalMatters urged the SCAQMD to reject the agreement, citing insufficient community involvement in its creation. They warned that the agreement could hinder efforts to reduce emissions and impose a five-year moratorium on rulemaking that limits the district’s ability to address pollution from the port.

Record Growth and Future Plans

The port reported a remarkable performance in 2025, handling nearly 9.9 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), marking it as one of the busiest years in its history. This success follows only two other instances in which the port exceeded the 9 million TEU mark. Looking forward, the port anticipates handling over 20 million TEUs annually by 2050. To accommodate this growth, the Port of Long Beach plans to complete the largest in-port railyard globally by 2032.

“Our $3.2 billion Capital Improvement Program is the largest of any seaport in North America,” Hacegaba highlighted. Central to this initiative is the $1.8 billion On-Dock Rail Support Facility at Pier B, which aims to enhance rail capacity significantly. With this project, the port plans to double the size of the existing rail yard and increase rail cargo movement from 1.5 million to 4.7 million TEUs.

The port has set an ambitious goal to become the first zero-emissions port globally by 2050. Nevertheless, Hacegaba acknowledged that uncertainties remain. “We continue to keep a close eye on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision regarding the International Emergency Economic Powers Act case, which is expected soon. While we await clarity, the reality is that uncertainty persists,” he noted.

Mixed Messaging and Challenges Ahead

Despite the positive outlook, inconsistencies emerged during the presentation. For instance, a graphic presented by Hacegaba incorrectly stated that soybean exports to Indonesia rose from 19,000 TEUs to 27,000 TEUs in the following year, misrepresenting the increase. This kind of oversight raises questions about the accuracy of presented data.

In terms of environmental claims, Hacegaba asserted that the port had become the first green port. Yet, this assertion overlooks the fact that the Port of Hueneme achieved “Green Marine” certification in 2017, a title that Long Beach has not yet secured. Notably, other ports in California, including Stockton, Oakland, and San Diego, have since followed suit.

Additionally, Hacegaba made an erroneous remark about a proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, incorrectly claiming it would establish the first transcontinental railroad in U.S. history. The first transcontinental railroad was completed on May 10, 1869, and the merger application was rejected the day after the address.

The address was also marked by motivational rhetoric, with Hacegaba employing sports metaphors to inspire his audience. He stated, “We’re going to reset the goal line, expand our playbook, update our gameplan, and move to a hurry-up offense,” likening the port’s efforts to a competitive sports strategy.

As the Port of Long Beach navigates a complex landscape, it remains to be seen how effectively it can balance ambitious goals with the realities of community needs and environmental concerns. The upcoming years will be crucial in determining whether the port can fulfill its promises while addressing the challenges ahead.