Port of Long Beach showcases major sustainability plans and daily operations

A small group of reporters and photographers received rare, behind the scenes access Wednesday to the Port of Long Beach, one of the nation’s busiest seaports, during a media tour that offered an up-close look at daily operations.

The tour showcased major infrastructure investments, sustainability initiatives and activity at several of the port’s most critical terminals. Port of Long Beach Chief Operating Officer Noel Hacegaba opened the day with welcome remarks, outlining the port’s role in global trade and its long-term modernization strategy.

Cargo containers stacked atop each other at pier E at the Port of Long Beach. Jan. 14, 2026 (Justin Enriquez | Signal Tribune)

“It takes time, it takes funding, it takes investments, it takes willing partners to deliver the kind of capital, infrastructure projects that the Port of Long Beach is known for,” Hacegaba said

The morning began at Pier G at International Transportation Service, where media viewed the South Slip Fill Project and terminal modernization efforts.

At Pier E, executives from Long Beach Container Terminal mentioned that they operate one of the greenest container terminals in the world, while remaining one of the busiest at the port.

Long Beach Container Terminals operate at Pier E in the Port of Long Beach on Jan. 14, 2026 (Justin Enriquez | Signal Tribune)

The tour concluded at Pier F, where representatives from SSA Marine outlined their operations and facilities. Terminal and facilities manager Horence Hernando walked media through the terminal’s day-to day-activities, emphasizing key goals and recent achievements. He noted that materials used in construction of the Los Angeles Clippers’ arena, the Intuit Dome, were among the cargo that moved through the pier, underscoring the terminal’s role in supporting major regional projects.

“When we say that for Long Beach, to the gateway of America, I don’t think America could be surviving without the Port of Long Beach.” Hernando said

At Pier F, dozens of excavators sit waiting to be transported at the Port of Long Beach on Jan. 14, 2026 (Justin Enriquez | Signal Tribune)

Port of Long Beach Chief Operating Officer Noel Hacegaba gives opening remarks about the Port of Long Beach and its importance on Jan. 14, 2026 (Justin Enriquez | Signal Tribune)

Daily operations continued on Pier G at the Port of Long Beach as media received a behind the scenes look at the South Slip project on Jan 14, 2026. (Justin Enriquez | Signal Tribune)