California’s ports like Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland, among the nation’s largest are forging ahead with strong container volumes and investments for the future.
San Pedro Bay Leads the Way
The two California ports of San Pedro Bay, the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach together comprise the largest container handling gateway in the United States and one of the top containerport hubs in the entire world. In 2025, San Pedro ports collectively handled just over 20 million TEUs, despite the headwinds caused by tariffs and other economic and geo-political factors.
The Port of Los Angeles
The Port of Los Angeles is the largest containerport in the US and globally consistently ranks inside the top twenty. In 2025 the Port handled 10.2 million TEUs, third best in the Port’s 118-year history.
In the presentation Seroka identified a number of new Port investments and initiatives including:
- Pier 500 Container Terminal. The proposed Pier 500 Marine Container Terminal is the first new container terminal to be developed in a generation and will be built on two hundred acres and three thousand linear feet of wharf space to create vital new capacity: “In October, we released a Request for Proposals to evaluate the interest.”
- Maritime Support Facility. The new Maritime Support Facility is “developing on 80 acres of under-utilized land right in the middle of Terminal Island. Now in the design stage, it will serve as a dedicated hub for chassis parking and maintenance, as well as container pick-up and drop-off.”
- Pier 300 On Dock Rail Expansion. On Pier 300, in addition to the on-dock rail expansion currently underway, “We’re in final discussions with Fenix Marine Terminal to develop 40-acres that currently sit vacant on the east side of the terminal.”
- Vincent Thomas Bridge Upgrade. Seroka reports: “The bridge needs redecking to make it safer for the 50,000 vehicles that cross it daily. But here’s the bigger issue: We also need to raise or replace it to unlock our full terminal capacity north of the bridge. We pushed to do both together. That timeline simply didn’t work. But this issue is not going away. A bridge built for yesterday’s ships cannot be an obstacle for tomorrow’s Port. We’re working with the Governor’s Office and California transportation officials to explore all options—which could include building a new crossing.”
- Port Optimizer. The Port Optimizer by Wabtec has been delivering “real-time insights to thousands of our partners for nearly a decade. We’ve added new tools like The Signal which tracks all imports headed to the Port with a three-week window — that’s visibility no other US port has. Expanding on that, the Universal Truck Appointment System has already improved gate usage by 20% for the 20,000 trucks that serve our Port.”
- Collaboration with Long Beach. Thanks to an $8 million California GO-Biz grant, “We are expanding the Port Optimizer to access appointment data at Port of Long Beach terminals in the future. This grant also supports new CalPorts applications, enabling secure data-sharing across the five major container ports in California. This is greater reach and greater impact—all driven by smarter technology. And these applications are protected by the nation’s first Port Cyber Security Operations Center. Last year alone, our system blocked more than 820 million intrusion attempts — from network exploitation to malware, ransomware and phishing schemes.”
- Wonderful Logistics Center. Seroka said that last summer “we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Wonderful Company to improve connections with California’s Central Valley and bring more American exports through our Port. At the heart of the agreement is the Wonderful Logistics Center in the city of Shafter (CA), a 3,400-acre industrial development strategically located along the BNSF Railway’s mainline. This fast-growing hub already services companies like Amazon, Target, Walmart and Ross stores, making it a strategic inland gateway for goods moving through our Port. With a new rail center planned for this year, a dedicated shuttle train will run between Shafter and our port complex, streamlining the flow of Central Valley exports to global markets.”
- EPA Clean Ports Grant. The EPA Clean Ports grant is moving forward: “Together with private funding, this $650 million infusion will bring battery-electric, human-operated, zero-emission equipment to our docks, along with new charging stations and 250 ZE (zero emission) drayage trucks. Five of our terminals – Yusen, Everport, Trapac, Fenix and APMT – are already ordering equipment.”
That same grant “will help bring shoreside power to the Wallenius Wilhelmsen Auto Terminal in Wilmington — one of the West Coast’s busiest auto import and export facilities. For the first time, roll-on/roll-off vessels will be able to plug into clean electricity safely while docked.”
SSA Marine operating the fruit terminal at Berth 55 “has completely converted its fleet of 44 heavy duty forklifts to battery electric power. It’s our first terminal to fully transition to zero-emissions cargo-handling equipment.”
The Port is also investing in cleaner rail operations: “Just as we pioneered shoreside power for ships, we are now extending that same thinking to railroads. With funding from the Union Pacific Railroad and another EPA grant, we’re also investing in cleaner rail operations. By testing plug-in systems that allow locomotives to draw power directly from the grid, we believe we can further cut emissions, improve air quality and take another major step toward our zero-emission future.”
Port of Long Beach
On January 1st, 2026, Dr. Noel Hacegaba was appointed as the Port of Long Beach’s new CEO. Hacegaba, a longtime Port executive, most recently served as COO, for longtime former CEO Mario Cordero. The Port of Long Beach, which had a throughput of 9.88 million TEUs in 2025, like the neighboring Port of LA, has embarked on a long-term strategy to move the Port to zero-emissions.
Long Beach, like other US ports, has been impacted by the administration’s tariff blitz and other initiatives. Hacegaba, reported that in January: “We moved 847,765 TEUs, marking our second busiest January on record. Now, that’s down 11% from January 2025, which is still the Port of Long Beach’s strongest January and second strongest month in its 115-year history.” At the Port’s February 25th media briefing Hacegaba detailed the Port’s January 2026 cargo performance:
- Imports declined 13.1% to 409,828 TEUs,
- Exports rose 0.8% to 99,478 TEUs.
The Port moved “51% of the cargo processed in January at the San Pedro Bay Ports complex.”
Relative to the impact that the tariffs have had on the Port, Hacegaba noted, “On average, tariffs added up to an additional $1,700 in costs for the average household, affecting the price of clothes, shoes, toys and electronics items that we typically import from East Asian countries …Our tonnage for 2025 was down 32% for iron and steel compared to 2024, while toys and sports equipment declined 15%, dyes were down 15%, synthetic fibers were down 43%, and we saw a 21% reduction in salt, sulfur and cement.”
And even with the favorable US Supreme Court Ruling, Hacegaba sees problems ahead: “About two thirds of tariffs imposed last year under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, were unconstitutional. While this decision ruled on the legality of IEEPA tariffs, it did little to remove the uncertainty that we’ve seen and continue to see across the goods movement industry. Our customers (are) seeking clarity on whether tariffs already paid will be refunded and when and how these refunds will be processed. Until these questions are answered, the only certainty is more uncertainty….”
Of course, part of that uncertainty isn’t necessarily a downturn but quite the opposite, as Hacegaba explained, “at this point if this could trigger another cargo surge. We saw this type of front loading before tariffs were originally enacted and again when tariffs and reciprocal tariffs were briefly paused last year. This time around, importers will have to wait to implement any front-loading activity as factories in Asia are closed for up to two weeks to celebrate the Lunar New Year which started February 17th.” A quite unexpected turn of events — the war with Iran which started on March 2nd — has added more uncertainty to global trade and container moving through the Port of Long Beach. And as Hacegaba noted, “Trade policies have far-reaching impacts on US supply chains, global competitiveness and the movement of goods through America’s ports. As global trade continues to evolve, we urge policymakers to prioritize predictable, transparent and cooperative frameworks that reinforce the United States position as a leader in global commerce.”
Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland handled 2,253,976 TEUs in 2025 — nearly identical to 2024. Unlike nearly every other major US container port, the Port of Oakland handled almost exactly 50% inbound (normally the heavy side of the US port traffic pattern) and 50% outbound. The balance of imports to exports and TEU total in 2025 was encouraging under the circumstances, as Bryan Brandes, Port of Oakland Maritime Director said, “In an environment defined by uncertainty, maintaining stability matters, Brandes said. “Our focus throughout the year was on keeping cargo moving reliably and predictably, ensuring customers could continue to move goods efficiently as trade conditions shifted…”
The Port of Oakland Executive Director Kristi McKenney, in her February 6th, 2026, State of the Port of Oakland presentation, reiterated that her top priority in 2026 is negotiating new lease agreements with the Port’s three largest terminals: Oakland International Container Terminal, TraPac and Everport.
“We have three primary terminal operators. And right now, my number one priority is working in partnership with those terminal operators to get three new long-term leases in Oakland. So, that’s going to be the focus … As this year comes to a close, we’re going to have new leases with these terminal operators that bring massive investments to Oakland,” McKenney said.
In January, the Port of Oakland added two new container cranes at its TraPac terminal, marking the first time European-built (Ireland) ship-to-shore cranes have been deployed on the US West Coast. The new Liebherr cranes, stand more than 440-feet tall and are fully electric which supports the Port of Oakland’s ongoing efforts to cut emissions while modernizing its infrastructure. “These new cranes represent an important investment in the future of the terminal,” said Cameron Thorpe, CEO of TraPac. “They improve efficiency today while helping move the Port toward a greener future.”
Another new crane is destined for Oakland International Container Terminal operated by Stevedoring Services of America (SSA). McKenney said of the new gantry crane, “In the coming year, we’ll be able to also welcome SSA’s new crane … and that comes on top of cranes that they brought in a few years ago.”
Turning Basins
McKenney also cited progress in obtaining federal support to enlarge existing Turning Basins that will allow mega-container ships to better maneuver alongside ship to shore cranes at container terminals: “Speaking of big investments what … we need to be doing … making sure we accommodate the larger vessels that are coming … Vessels are getting bigger and we need to be able to operate them here at Oakland if we’re going to be successful. And this is… where the Turning Basins project comes … we have just secured $8 million in federal appropriations … that is going to keep design going on this important project. This is going to make sure those ships can turn efficiently and safely on the Inner and Outer Harbor here in Oakland.”
Green Port Initiatives
In November 2025, the Port of Oakland announced two critical achievements in its pursuit to become the “cleanest and greenest” port in the United States:
In 2024, a record 86% of the electricity the Port provided to tenants and facilities came from renewable and zero-carbon sources; and the Port secured a long-term energy storage services agreement that will help strengthen the Port’s energy supply, optimize solar power, and advance the Port’s full transition to clean energy.
McKenney acknowledged the support from Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee in facilitating new federal grants in the amount of $322 million federal dollars she helped bring to Oakland for zero emissions: “We’re going to be the cleanest and greenest Port in large thanks to our mayor on the West Coast.”
McKenney explained: “I started at the Port of Oakland as an environmental planner. And so, I am 1000% committed to zero emissions to making this Port the cleanest …making sure that we don’t have negative impacts on communities …We have a tremendous project underway. We have … $475 million … capitalizing on that grant plus private investment to convert hundreds of pieces of terminal equipment and drayage trucks to zero emissions.”
The Port is able to facilitate this transition because it is its own public utility: “One of our other great attributes of the Port is we’re a very rare thing in that we are also a public utility for electricity. So, we have invested heavily in our electrical, utility division … we have been staffing that up, and so, we are off to the races with being able to provide this power.”
Howard Terminal Soccer Stadium?
The Port will once again explore the possibility of building a sports facility at the Howard Terminal site that the Oakland A’s unsuccessfully failed to turn into a baseball park and condominium complex.
This time, McKenney said, the Port will consider proposals for an industrial use as well as a new stadium for the Oakland Roots soccer team: “Howard Terminal was last an over the dock … terminal, container terminal in 2013. It has served a number of important purposes for the Port … but really has not been fully utilized given its 50 acres. So, we did do an RFQ on that property … and I am very pleased to say that (we) … just recently announced that we intend to take an ENA (Exploratory Negotiating Agreement) … to our Board in the near future with the Industrial Realty Group and the Roots combined proposal. And this is a beautiful marriage because what happens here is we get an industrial over-the-dock cargo (facility) at Howard as it was intended to be on the industrial side. And then … can have a Jack London Square activation (of) public activities and engagement with the Roots. So, we’re very excited about this development.”
Port of Hueneme
The Port of Hueneme is forging ahead with plans to build a new container terminal to accommodate its expanded reefer cargo business from Central and South America.
In an interview with AJOT, Decas said: “The growth of reefer containers has helped propel the Port to processing 250,000 TEUS per year and with this increased volume has come the decision to move away from our current boom crane/mobile harbor cranes (and) toward building a dedicated container terminal supported by one gantry crane operation to begin with. The Port is projecting that it will process 256,715 TEUs in 2025, a 74% increase over its 2020 volume.”
Decas noted that: “There are 123 container ports in the country and we are number 16, which is pretty impressive given 12 years ago we did not handle containers. It was all break bulk here. So, we are really kind of gaining ground there.”
The Port is known for handling reefer cargo — especially fruit — and autos through roll-on/roll-off (ro/ro) ship calls. In most US ports, tariffs played havoc with business in 2025. In the case of Hueneme, auto volumes were down 11% but the Port still handled 417,000 vehicles, making it one of the largest ro/ro ports in the US. And the container business grew by 11% as tariffs had little impact on the perishable segment with fruit volumes up 7.3%. Overall, the Port of Hueneme ranks number five in reefers in the US — larger than some mega-ports like neighboring Port of Long Beach.
The Port of Hueneme is a major importer of bananas through imports from Chiquita, Del Monte, and Dole. According to Decas, “Dole will move quite a few bananas here on Maersk and Chiquita vessels.” Although bananas are big, a boost in reefers has come from blueberry imports from Peru. Since 2022, blueberry imports have risen from 1,047 forty-foot containers to 3,228 forty-foot containers in 2024, an increase of 193%.
Another underrated advantage the Port has is the Ventura County Railway.
The railway has been transporting goods for the Port since 1937. The Port is much more than just a place for ships to dock, Decas said, “We [the Port of Hueneme] serve as a vital link in the supply chain to get you the goods you use every day. And that’s where owning a railway comes in handy… And guess what? The rail provides a cleaner and safer way to transport your goods and takes 150 trucks off the streets of our local community.”
Port of San Diego
The Port of San Diego is a major West Coast ro/ro port and is also recognized for its green initiatives — particularly in the efforts in reducing air pollutants. In October of 2025, the Port and the ro/ro carrier Pasha Automotive Services (an independent subsidiary of The Pasha Group) took a major step forward in both departments when the MV Jean Anne became the first ro/ro vessel and Pure Car Carrier (PCC), a vessel designed purely for transporting vehicles, commissioned for shore power in the United States.
With the commissioning, the MV Jean Anne, the ro/ro carrier became a first-of-its kind achievement in the US as well as the first-ever shore power connection for a domestic (US flag Jones Act) ro/ro carrier.
Shore power allows vessels to plug into the local electrical grid rather than relying on diesel power while at berth. Shore power reduces the release of air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and diesel particulate matter (DPM), as well as greenhouse gas emissions (CO2e).
Port of San Diego Chair Danielle Moore said, “This accomplishment cannot be understated – it means healthier and happier people and families in National City and is a testament to how real progress is anchored in our commitment to the well-being of our neighboring communities, our workforce, and the generations who will follow.”
The Port added the single shore power plug at the National City Marine Terminal at a cost of $6.6 million, which includes $2.5 million in grant funding from the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust for California, administered by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
All four of the Port’s marine terminals – two cargo facilities at the National City and Tenth Avenue Marine Terminals, and two cruise terminals at B Street and Broadway Piers – now have shore power available.
