With a focus on “people, planet and performance,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka outlined the port’s agenda for the coming year at POLA’s 10th annual State of the Port event on Jan. 23.
Seroka, now in his 11th year as executive director, outlined POLA’s strategic priorities for the year ahead in the his three key areas.
People
Emphasizing the need to prioritize people and workforce development, Seroka highlighted the port’s newly opened $16 million ILWU-PMA Maintenance and Repair Training Center on Terminal Island and the ongoing development of a new Goods Movement Training Facility. Both focus on re-skilling and up-skilling of workers serving the port.
Remarking on the importance of bringing future talent to the industry, Seroka announced two educational initiatives: one with UCLA that focuses on advancing clean technology, and another with the California Community College system that seeks to prepare students for future maritime industry jobs, particularly careers focused on decarbonization and environmental stewardship.
Planet
Seroka told the crowd of about 640 attendees that the Port of LA has long been a leader in cleaning up ports and reducing pollution. Its many environmental initiatives over more than two decades have reduced emissions of all kinds, with diesel particulate matter down 91% and sulfur oxides reduced by 98% since 2005, even with simultaneous cargo growth of 15% over that same period.
The most recent Air Emissions Inventory indicates the lowest level of overall emissions since 2005.
Now, Seroka said, the port is on a more aggressive path to a zero-emissions future.
“Our goal isn’t fewer emissions, it’s zero emissions,” he said. “It’s about setting a new standard for ports worldwide, proving that economic growth and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.”
Seroka outlined some of the major initiatives underway to achieve the port’s zero-emissions goals, including ramping up the number of no-emissions trucks in service at the port; investing $640 million in new cargo-handling equipment, trucks and charging stations; moving ahead with POLA’s Hydrogen Hub project, focused on producing zero-emissions terminal cargo handling equipment, and creating green shipping corridors with ports around the world to decarbonize the vessel side of the maritime industry.
He also noted that work has started on a major $500 million enhancement project with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power that would allow POLA to handle more electric equipment and clean shore power operations in the future.
Performance
Seroka’s remarks included the revelation that POLA finished 2024 by processing more than 10.3 million container units, which is a nearly 20% increase over 2023 and the second-best year in the 117-year history of the port.
He also discussed initiatives contributing to improved performance and efficiencies at the port, including the recently completed $73 million Pier 400 On-Dock Rail Expansion project and another similar rail expansion currently underway at Fenix Marine Pier 300.
Additionally, he reiterated the importance of using data to improve performance and discussed how the port’s been able to build on its Port Optimizer, a digital platform, first introduced in 2017, providing stakeholders real-time data and predictable cargo-planning capabilities.
Seroka shared that the platform’s latest feature, a Universal Trucking Appointment System, now allows nearly 20,000 truckers serving the port to digitally manage terminal appointments. Introduced to improve workflow, the system is already showing promising results.
“Everything we do to speed containers through the port pays off, because for every four containers we move, it equals one job,” he said.
The State of the Port, hosted by the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, gives all proceeds from the event to two local non-profit organizations: EXP, which focuses on next-generation maritime workforce development and the International Seafarers Center, which provides and maintains facilities and services for merchant seamen calling at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Archived video of the event can be streamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfWkT8M3XY4.
Long Beach
Meanwhile, during his annual State of the Port address on Jan. 16, Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero said his port is accomplishing its environmental, operational and commercial goals and is setting its sights on greater achievements in the years ahead.
Cordero recounted that it was in January 2005 that the Long Beach Harbor Commission adopted its Green Port Policy. The panel promised to reduce harmful impacts from port operations, safeguard the health of people living in Long Beach and surrounding communities, protect wildlife and the natural habitat and engage the community to ensure that the port lives up to its commitments.
The policy resulted in a range of sustainability initiatives that resulted in a cleaner harbor, industry-leading green building practices and most notably, air quality improvements resulting from reductions in emissions.
So far, according to POLB data, diesel emissions are down 92% at the port compared to 2005 levels, while nitrogen oxides have declined by 71%, sulfur oxides by 98% and greenhouse gases by 17%.
In his remarks, Cordero thanked the community for its role 20 years ago in demanding action that resulted in the Green Port Policy. He also credited industry partners, marine terminal operators and waterfront workers for adopting innovative technologies and adapting to new, sustainable practices aimed at enhancing air and water quality, while also achieving maximum efficiency for cargo movement.
During the roughly one-hour address, Cordero also told the audience of about 900 people that Long Beach is making progress in transitioning operations to zero emissions, while recording dramatic air quality improvements and other environmental benefits throughout its 20 years of efforts.
“For those in 2005 who questioned our environmental resolve, the data shows otherwise. For those who said a Green Port wouldn’t be able to compete commercially, the facts show otherwise. And today, for those who still doubt us, we are proving you wrong every single day,” Cordero said.
Long Beach’s full State of the Port event, which also includes speeches by Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal and Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, is available to stream at www.polb.com/stateoftheport.