INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Port of Long Beach builds for a zero-emission future
T he Port of Long Beach is plan- ning for significant growth while pursuing the ambitious goal of becoming the world’s first zero- emission port. Vice President Sharon Weissman, representing the Port, outlined a series of major initiatives designed to expand capacity, improve efficiency, strengthen cybersecurity and accelerate the transi- tion to cleaner cargo movement. “We’re building the port of the future,” Weissman said after thanking and acknowledging the support from both MARAD and EPA. “Our new CEO, Dr. Noel Hacegaba, has a bold new vision to double our cargo to 20 million TEUs by the year 2050 and to be the first zero-emission port in the world.” The Port is targeting cargo growth from its record 9.9 million TEUs han- dled in 2025 to 20 million TEUs by 2050. The ambitious target comes as the Port continues to experience strong volumes. During the first quarter of 2026, Long Beach was the busiest sea- port in the Americas. Supporting that growth is a $3.3 billion capital improvement program, highlighted by the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility. Scheduled for
With record cargo volumes, major infrastructure investments and new initiatives in digitalization,
cybersecurity and clean transportation, the Port of Long Beach is positioning itself for a dramatically different future.
completion in 2032, the project will more than triple the Port’s on-dock rail capacity and reduce the time required to move cargo from ship to rail from approximately four days to within 24 hours. “It is a game changer for us,” Weissman said of the Pier B project. Another major development is the proposed Pier S terminal, which would add 1.8 million TEUs of capacity. The terminal is planned around zero- emission, human-operated equipment, zero-emission trucks, 24/7 gate access and a streamlined “peel-off” cargo model. The facility is expected to serve e-commerce customers while reducing truck congestion and improving air quality in surrounding communities. Digital technology is also central to the Port’s future. Its Cargo Nav plat- form is being developed to provide greater shipment visibility and help users plan and optimize operations. A universal trucking appointment sys- tem will soon allow carriers to schedule container pickups and drop-offs across Long Beach’s six terminals, with the potential to eventually encompass the entire San Pedro Bay port complex. As ports become increasingly depend- ent on digital infrastructure, cybersecur- ity has emerged as another priority. “It’s shocking and scary to learn the Port of Long Beach blocks an attempted cyber attack every three seconds,” Weissman said. To strengthen its defenses, the Port of Long Beach opened a new Cyber Defense Operations Center (CDOC) in May 2026. The facility uses enhanced technology to detect and neutralize threats while doubling the number of personnel dedicated to cybersecurity.
“The CDOC is a critical tool to keep the Port of Long Beach safe from cyber attacks that could disrupt the flow of $300 billion in annual trade and 2.7 million jobs across the United States,” she added. The Port is committed to advancing alternative cleaner fuels and technol- ogy in sustainable goods movement through partnerships and incentives. In May, the Port approved a one-mil- lion-dollar award for the first ship- ping company to successfully conduct commercial-scale methanol bunkering at the Port of Long Beach. The Port is also supporting the tran- sition to zero-emission trucks. It cur- rently has 102 on-site EV charging stations—the most of any U.S. seaport with another 92 planned. In addition, Long Beach has established the world’s first port-driven green truck corridor, greening the trade route between Long Beach and the California Central Valley and connecting the Port with the heart of the nation’s agricultural industry. In June, the Port announced a second green truck corridor that will allow for a network of charging and hydrogen fueling stations along Interstate 5, from Mexico to Canada. With an average of 10,000 trucks a day carrying freight, it is one of the nation’s busiest roadways. Together, these investments reflect a strategy that combines physical infra- structure, digital innovation, cyberse- curity and environmental sustainability. “At the Port of Long Beach, we’re investing in our physical and digital infrastructure to ensure our supply chain is resilient and ready to become the port of the future,” Weissman said.
Sharon Weissman, Port of Long Beach
14 — PACIFIC PORTS — October 2026
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