Port of Long Beach prepares for more growth | Los Angeles Times – newspaper

With a new CEO at the helm, facility aims to double its cargo capacity by 2050.

THE PORT handled a record 9.8 million cargo containers in 2025 and hopes to deal with 20 million by 2050.

(ALLEN J. SCHABEN Los Angeles Times)

Despite a year of trade volatility and unprecedented tariffs, the Port of Long Beach handled a record amount of cargo in 2025 and expects growth to accelerate.

Under the leadership of a new chief executive, Noel Hacegaba, the second-busiest port in the U.S. plans to invest to be ready to double the cargo it processes by 2050. That’s also the year the port is hoping to achieve zero carbon emissions.

“We have 24 years to figure this out and ensure we can handle double our capacity,” Hacegaba said.

The forecast predicted the Port of Long Beach will handle the equivalent of 20 million containers in 2050, up from 9.8 million containers last year.

Hacegaba, who joined the Port of Long Beach in 2010 and previously served as chief commercial officer before beginning his CEO role Jan. 1, said he is focused on upgrading the port’s operations. The future of the port depends on investments in infrastructure and efficiency, he said.

“A lot of what I’m going to do as chief executive resembles what a head coach of a football team would do,” Hacegaba said. “I want us to move to a hurry-up offense,” he said.