PORT UPDATES
a near-dock overflow container ter- minal and have since expanded our rail capacity. I am proud the Port of Long Beach is well on the way to becoming the first zero-emission port in the world. We have the first zero-emission terminal and have the largest percentage of zero- emission cargo handling equipment of any port in the Americas. I am proud of our many accomplish- ments. We have reduced diesel par- ticulate matter by 90%, nitrous oxides by 70% and sulfur oxides by 98%, all while increasing volume by more than 40%. We have the most extensive edu- cational program of any port to grow the workforce of the future and this year we will allocate $3 million to sponsor community non-profits, while
promoting the Port. Unfortunately, I can’t take credit for all this as we have an amazing staff and commissioners before me who set many of these pro- grams in motion. Being a harbor commissioner is very fulfilling. There is a huge amount of work for a very small stipend, but it has its advantages. To be here in a policy making role as we transition to a zero-emission operation is amazing. As is knowing the Port is responsible for one out of every five jobs in Long Beach. Yes, I must admit, reading our Board agendas can be less than excit- ing, but I do enjoy traveling to meet our customers, even though those trips are a whirlwind. But of course I get to attend APP conferences and it doesn’t get better than that.
Port of Long Beach Commissioner Sharon Weissman
while remaining competitive, fund- ing infrastructure to build the port of the future and attracting new cus- tomers are a few examples. As all the Commissioners live in Long Beach, we are well aware of the effect the Port has on our community and know our operations have air quality effects. We value community engagement and our staff hold regular meetings with our community, particularly environmentalists. The environment- alists set the agenda so we can hear their views and concerns, as well as update them on new projects and initiatives. We discuss our ambitious capital programs in the next 10 years, as we have plans to spend $3.3 billion on capital projects. The major project is our Pier B On Dock Rail Support Facility. This will enable us to triple the amount of cargo that goes on rail rather than truck. This project will reduce traffic congestion while reducing our environmental impacts. Like many, we found COVID to be a learning experience. In 2025 we moved more cargo than during COVID, but experienced no con- gestion. During COVID we created
Aerial view of the Port of Long Beach
July 2026 — PACIFIC PORTS — 29
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