Port of Long Beach Handled Record Amount of Cargo in 2025

(Port of Long Beach)

Port of Long Beach CEO Noel Hacegaba reflected on an especially busy year, and what that means for the future, during his first state of the port address Jan. 15. Mario Cordero, the port's previous CEO, retired at year's end.

The address brought together port leadership, local politicians and industry partners at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center. Hacegaba described a year of trade policy uncertainty and opportunities, the result being a record 9.9 million containers handled in 2025.

“Now, 2026 is a year of transition for our port, and it’s happening at a time when the global supply chain is undergoing its own transformation,” Hacegaba said. “Preparing for the future has never been more important and more complex. But seasons of change also open the door to new possibilities. Now is the right time to clarify our vision, simplify our mission and amplify our impact.”

President Donald Trump, starting his second nonconsecutive term at the beginning of the year, ushered in many of these changes. His goal is to use policy levers such as tariffs to force the renegotiation of trade deals more favorable to the U.S. But the immediate impact was market uncertainty, which made planning difficult for many companies.

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Hacegaba 

“Success is no longer defined by just hitting benchmarks,” Hacegaba said. “For me, success is shifting trajectory to a new, bold and exciting vision. Now our mission is not changing. We will always protect this great public treasure as a responsible steward. The Port of Long Beach has been around since 1911, but in order to remain relevant, we have to stay ahead of the competition. What got us here, won’t get us there. We have to play chess, not checkers.”

Hacegaba added that smart planning has been a hallmark of success for the port. He also stressed that planning alone is not enough. The coronavirus pandemic, global trade disruptions, backlogs and shifting tariff policies enforced the importance of navigating shifting tides for the port leadership.

“Yet for all the predictions of doom and gloom, and against all odds, we witnessed something never before seen here in Long Beach,” Hacegaba said. “This is only the third time in our history that we reached the 9 million TEU mark.”

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Port of Long Beach plans to handle the equivalent of 20 million containers in 2050, up from 9.8 million containers last year. (Port of Long Beach) 

Hacegaba noted that the impact of tariffs has not been the same for every segment across the supply chain. For example, China’s retaliatory tariffs led to a decrease in U.S. exports across most agricultural commodities. This was particularly pronounced for soybeans. China started sourcing more soybeans from other countries, leading to a 95% drop for the U.S. from the prior year.

“The point is that tariffs have an immediate effect, but they also reshaped trade patterns,” Hacegaba said. “Six years ago, about 70% of our cargo, imports and exports, was tied to China. Today that’s down to 60%. As a result, we’re seeing more cargo come from Vietnam, Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia, and that is why we’re continually updating our business strategies, pursuing new and emerging markets, and working with our terminals.”

Hacegaba also has taken initiative to further support the 2.7 million port-related jobs, announcing a campaign to promote opportunities for small businesses. Hacegaba described it as the most aggressive effort taken by the port to reach those with the talent and the know-how to help ensure its mission.

“Now, the big question on most people’s minds is what’s going to happen in 2026,” Hacegaba said. “If you look at some of the key economic indicators, you still see signs of uncertainty. Yet, in spite of all of this, our outlook for 2026 is another busy year. In fact, we project another 9 million-TEU year, making it one of our top five busiest years ever.”

Hacegaba is especially watching unemployment, inflation, interest rates and consumer spending. There also are lingering policy and legal questions such as the challenges related to trade. The Supreme Court is set to rule on whether the president is illegally imposing tariffs through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Hacegaba also is striving to make the port more environmentally friendly.

“Leading green is not just what we do, it’s who we are,” Hacegaba said. “With your help, we became the first green port, and with your continued support, we will become the very first zero-emissions port in the world. We continue to prove to the world that we can grow green.”