At his monthly online news briefing on Thursday, Oct. 15, Port of Long Beach CEO Noel Hacegaba highlighted the port\u2019s recent all-time cargo records and the port\u2019s readiness for more growth by way of its expanding infrastructure.<\/p>\n
This month, for example, the port saw the MSC Arina \u2014 a massive container ship capable of transporting 24,000 twenty-foot-equivalent units \u2014 arrive, because of POLB\u2019s ability to offer some of the deepest channels available, Hacegaba said.<\/p>\n
Through electrifying and modernizing to maximize the space it has, he added, the port is pushing forward with \u201cbigger plans for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
The port\u2019s all-time record-breaking cargo numbers for September were reported earlier this week and reiterated at Thursday\u2019s news briefing.<\/p>\n
The port, founded in 1911, moved 997,177 TEUs in September \u2014 making it the busiest month in its history. The port\u2019s previous busiest month was October 2024, when 987,191 TEUs moved through the complex, port officials reported this week.<\/p>\n
The pattern was also seen in the neighboring Port of Los Angeles, which logged its busiest month in its history during September. That port was founded in 1907. It handled 1,042,652 containers last month.<\/p>\n
But among ongoing challenges, Hacegaba said, are high diesel prices that are costing truckers $700 to $800 to fill up.<\/p>\n
\u201cSmaller trucking companies are having difficult times,\u201d Hacegaba said.<\/p>\n
Addressing the upcoming full closure of Vincent Thomas Bridge, which sees traffic connected to both ports, Hacegaba said plans are in place so Long Beach will not be impacted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis closure will not affect operations here at the Port of Long Beach,\u201d he said. \u201cThe port will be open and operating as normal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Extended gate hours will be put in place before and after the bridge closure, he said. The bridge is expected to be closed from Nov. 7 to February for a deck replacement project.<\/p>\n