Noel Hacegaba, a 15-year veteran of the Port of Long Beach, will succeed Mario Cordero as chief executive of the major trade hub at the start of new year.
As chief operating officer, Hacegaba has been Cordero’s right-hand man for years and a growing public representative for the container port. The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners is expected to rubber stamp the appointment today.
“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as CEO of the Port of Long Beach and excited to lead our stellar staff to strengthen the nation’s supply chain as we build the port of the future,” Hacegaba said in a statement. “I am looking forward to working with our mayor, harbor commission and partners to accelerate our economic engine as we elevate the port’s profile internationally by delivering world-class infrastructure and customer service and industry-leading sustainability programs.”
As chief operating officer, Hacegaba has coordinated daily operations for the Port of Long Beach. He was previously managing director of commercial operations and chief commercial officer.
Significant milestones at the port with his fingerprints on them include the multibillion-dollar sales of Long Beach Container Terminal and Total Terminals International. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Hacegaba was director of the port’s Business Recovery Task Force and helped develop the Supply Chain Information Highway, a digital tool shared with the neighboring Port of Los Angeles developed to prevent ship congestion that mounted during the early days of the pandemic.
“Noel Hacegaba is the ideal choice to lead the Port of Long Beach,” said Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna in a statement. “Noel brings extensive experience managing all key port functions, deep knowledge of the goods movement industry and a collaborative leadership style that will serve the port well as we navigate future challenges and opportunities.”
Cordero announced in October that he would retire from the port at the end of the year. He took the top job in 2017, following a tenure on the Federal Maritime Commission. Prior to that, Cordero was appointed for two terms to the harbor commission.
During Cordero’s time, the port climbed to record cargo movement and efficiency, despite the infamous backup of vessels in 2021 and 2022. The Green Port Policy – a legacy of Cordero’s dating back to his harbor commission days – has reduced diesel soot by 92%, nitrogen oxides by 71% and sulfur oxides by 98% since 2004.
In a previous interview, Cordero said he hoped to leave for his successor a platform to bring Pier W – a planned offshore floating terminal for the assemblage of floating wind turbines – into fruition. Although the estimated $4.7-billion project remains years away from beginning construction work, the port did secure $20 million from the California Energy Commission in October. It will use that funding, along with $11 million in its own match funding, to complete engineering, environmental and business planning requirements for the project.
This funding should keep the project’s planning humming long enough for the port to try persuading the next presidential administration for federal funding – something President Donald Trump has essentially shut the door on. And Long Beach officials seem confident that Hacegaba can guide such projects to completion.
“The Port of Long Beach is entering a pivotal decade – one defined by bold climate action, digital transformation and generational infrastructure investments,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson in a statement. “Dr. Hacegaba is well-positioned to guide this next chapter as we accelerate toward zero-emission operations, expand our global competitiveness and continue driving economic opportunity for our community. I support his appointment and look forward to working together to build the port of the future and strengthen Long Beach’s leadership on sustainability and innovation.”