Seroka Maps Port of Los Angeles' Bigger, Smarter Future

In 2025, the Port of Los Angeles had its third-busiest year, at 10.2 million container units processed. (halbergman/Getty Images)

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka outlined his vision for a future port, built to be bigger and smarter, during his annual state of the port address.

The 2026 State of the Port of Los Angeles address brought together industry and community representatives to look back at the past year and what could be ahead. In 2025, the port had its third-busiest year, at 10.2 million container units processed. Seroka discussed the past year and the progress being made to make the port bigger, smarter and more sustainable.

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“From accelerated dips in volume to record highs, it truly was a roller coaster,” Seroka said. “I’m proud to say that for the 26th consecutive year, the Port of Los Angeles remains America’s busiest container port. Every record set and every bar raised is a direct result of the dedication and commitment of the people who make this port work.”

Seroka noted that the port has not had a year without headwinds since its founding over a century ago. But throughout that history the port has evolved and changed to meet challenges, he said. The Lands End Berth 60 at AltaSea, where Seroka spoke, even used to function as a port warehouse a century ago, he pointed out.

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Seroka 

“There’s a lot of change in our world right now,” Seroka said. “The global trade map is being redrawn. Shifting trade policies are creating uncertainty and volatility, and the maritime supply chain is at the center of it all. But here’s what hasn’t changed: Cargo remains the lifeblood of the U.S. economy. American farmers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers all depend on how we move that cargo. That means we, this port, must be ready for whatever is coming.”

Unveiled at #SOTPLA26, here’s how the Port of Los Angeles plans to build bigger and smarter infrastructure with proposed projects at Pier 500, Maritime Support Facility, and expansions at container terminals operated by Fenix Marine Services and LATiL. pic.twitter.com/GIPz8fEuEK — Port of Los Angeles (@PortofLA) January 26, 2026

Seroka stressed that building bigger and smarter is key to meeting future demand and remaining the busiest port in the country. He noted efforts to expand capacity, which includes the proposed Pier 500 marine container terminal. The first-in-a-generation terminal is being constructed to be environmentally friendly and capable of handling next-generation ships.

“Building bigger only works if we’re also building smarter, and that means driving operational efficiency across everything we do,” Seroka said. “Take the [Pier 500] maritime support facility we’re developing on 80 acres of underutilized land right in the middle of Terminal Island. Now in the design stage, it’ll serve as a dedicated hub for chassis parking and maintenance as well as container pickup and drop-off. Think of it as a pressure relief valve during peak cargo periods.”

Seroka said the facility will help to prevent containers from stacking up at terminals to ensure freight flows smoothly. He also pointed to additional projects like the Pier 300 expansion, proposed Fenix Marine terminal development, and the early stages of forming a partnership with state officials to upgrade or replace the Vincent Thomas Bridge.

“Building smarter also means investing in the technology that powers everything we do,” Seroka said. “The Port Optimizer by Wabtec has been delivering real-time insights for nearly a decade to thousands of our partners. We’ve added new tools like ‘The Signal,’ which tracks all imports headed to the port within a three-week window. That’s visibility that no other port in the United States has today. Expanding on that, the Universal Truck Appointment System has already improved gate usage by 20%.”

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Seroka says the port's "Universal Truck Appointment System has already improved gate usage by 20%.” (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Seroka said the port is embracing technologies like artificial intelligence to improve scenario planning and processes. But he also stressed the importance of pairing technology with people. The port’s Cyber Security Operations Center has been at the forefront of safeguarding these advancements since 2014. The system blocked over 820 million intrusion attempts in 2025, Seroka said.

“We’re building regional, national and global partnerships to power our future [and] investing in our business, our economy and in our community, because the port is more than a hub for global trade, it’s a community asset that’s shared with our residents and visitors alike,” Seroka said. “That’s the thinking behind the Public Access Investment Plan here at the port.”

Seroka pointed out that these investments also ensure the community benefits as the port grows economically. Much of that effort has centered on the port investing $1 billion in the waterfront over the past two decades. The port reserves 10% of its operating income for new public access projects, such as a 175-foot observation wheel overlooking a new development planned for the port’s west harbor.

“As we move forward, the message is clear,” Seroka said. “The Port of Los Angeles is investing in the future. Investing in expansion, infrastructure and analytics; in jobs and workforce development; in our communities and our waterfront; and in our environment and sustainability. For more than a century, we faced challenge after challenge, and each time, we’ve emerged stronger.”