It was a year of monthly superlatives for the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach, which paved way for a pair of strong year-end performances.

The Port of Long Beach, in particular, recorded its strongest-ever year in terms of cargo movement, with dockworkers unloading and loading nearly 9.65 million containers last year. The Port of L.A., meanwhile, had its second best year in terms of cargo movement, with nearly 10.3 million containers handled; however, its year-over-year increase by nearly 1.67 million containers was its largest-ever gain.

For the Port of L.A., this performance represented its 25th consecutive year as the busiest container port in the Western hemisphere.

“This achievement is a testament to our shared dedication and hard work,” Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of L.A., said at his State of the Port address last month.

At their respective addresses, Seroka and Port of Long Beach Chief Executive Mario Cordero touted their strong economic performances, strides toward environmental stewardship and planning for future improvements. In particular, the two leaders highlighted three numbers showcasing the port complex’s results 20 years into their joint Green Ports Policy: a 92% reduction in diesel particulate matter, a 98% reduction in sulfur oxides and a 74% reduction in nitrous oxides.

“We’ve achieved environmental progress and commercial success,” Cordero said. “I say let’s have more of both.”

December numbers

As is typical, December’s cargo figures remained high as retailers made a final push to get product on shelves before the winter holidays.

Dockworkers at the Port of L.A. moved a total of 921,616 containers in December, of which 460,915 were loaded imports and 110,483 loaded exports. Meanwhile, the Port of Long Beach moved 861,006 containers, including 412,876 were loaded imports and 100,792 were loaded exports. (The remaining sum accounts for empty containers coming or going.)

On the year, the two ports moved more than 19.9 million containers – in excess of 3 million more containers than they moved in 2023, a year marred by imports that sagged as labor negotiations with dockworkers and shippers dragged on.

Reducing emissions

Terminal operators at both ports continued to bring low- and zero-emission equipment online last year, either as demonstration projects or small-scale deployments.

Seroka noted that there were about 500 zero-emissions drayage trucks – through either battery-electric or hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains – working at the ports. Various terminal operators have also added more battery-electric or hydrogen-powered equipment like top handlers and rubber-tired gantry cranes.

Cargo ships have, of course, plugged into the local grids upon docking at the ports for years at this point. Last year, however, the Port of L.A. played host to Alette Maersk, the first dual-fuel container vessel to call at a U.S. port. It had just completed a trans-Pacific voyage on “green” methanol, which is made with biomass or synthesized with extracted carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

And at the Port of Long Beach, officials last year broke ground on the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support facility, which in combination with the development of zero-emissions train engines is expected to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the complex.

Since the Green Port Policy took effect in 2005, total greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 24%, Seroka said, while cargo activity has climbed 15%.

“The Green Port Policy has aged well and has produced results: cleaner trucks, cleaner ships and cleaner cargo handling equipment. It remains an aggressive and comprehensive framework for environmentally sound port operations,” Cordero said. “For those in 2005 who questioned our environmental resolve, the data shows otherwise. For those who said the Green Port Policy wouldn’t be able to have us compete commercially, the facts show otherwise. Today, for those who doubt us, we are going to prove you wrong each and every day.”

Side notes

Seroka made mention of the outer harbor cruise terminal moving forward last year. It is expected to be completed by 2030, after which the port’s World Cruise Center will undergo an extensive renovation.

This will mean a lot to what has been a growing business facet of the port, especially as cruise lines ramp up their offerings and introduce new vessels to customers. Seroka noted that each cruise that docks in San Pedro adds about $1.2 million in payroll and business activity there.

“Cruise activity at our port means a lot to our community. Everyone knows that when a cruise ship comes in, San Pedro buzzes with the excitement of visitors eager to explore all our town has to offer,” he added. “In the last decade, we’ve doubled our cruise business, and this year is on track to be our best ever.”

Seroka also took aim at the musings of President Donald Trump, who has made tariffs against geopolitical competitors – and manufacturing hubs such as China – a signature part of his economic agenda. Given that the ports here process more than a third of all U.S. imports, any implementation of new taxes against Chinese or other imports – which historically are passed on to customers in the form of price increases – figures to have a significant impact here.

“In Washington, the new administration is talking about more tariffs and trade constraints,” Seroka said. “This ‘post-globalization’ era is creating new headwinds that we must navigate, and I promise you we will knock on every door in Washington and share the benefits of this great Port of Los Angeles to anyone and everyone who will listen. We will give it an honest effort, because we need that strong federal and local partnership.”