California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) Secretary Toks Omishakin visited the Port of Long Beach today to observe the implementation of a record-setting $383 million state grant from California’s Port and Freight Infrastructure Program (PFIP). This significant investment is aimed at supporting over 22,000 jobs, reducing emissions, and building a modern, sustainable supply chain at one of America’s busiest ports.
Officials from the Port, state, and ILWU Locals 13, 63, and 94 gathered at SSA Terminals’ Pier C facility to celebrate the acquisition of 15 zero-emission, human-operated, American-made yard tractors, along with associated charging infrastructure and a tugboat repowered to a low-emission engine. This equipment was acquired through the Port of Long Beach’s System-Wide Investment in Freight Transport (SWIFT) program, which is funded by CalSTA’s historic $1.3 billion PFIP. The grant also includes more than $158 million to advance the Port’s rail support facility at Pier B, designed to shift more cargo from trucks to on-dock rail.
Beyond job creation, the funding is projected to eliminate over 12% of all carbon dioxide emissions and more than 5% of nitrogen oxide emissions associated with Port-related operations annually by 2028. Secretary Omishakin said, “Governor Newsom’s historic commitment to freight infrastructure is strengthening our supply chains and creating economic opportunities for people across the state.” State Sen. Lena Gonzalez and Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, both D-Long Beach, also lauded the investment for its positive impact on pollution reduction, job creation, and economic future.
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson emphasized that the new equipment will “reduce emissions, result in improved health for local neighborhoods and ensure our city's port builds on its place as global sustainability leader.” Long Beach Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna and Port CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba highlighted the Port’s use of financial incentives and grant funding to accelerate its transition to zero-emissions operations, aiming to become the world’s first zero-emissions port. Nicolas Gauthier, President of SSA Marine’s Global Container Division, expressed commitment to environmental innovation, while ILWU Local 13 President Mario Medina acknowledged the creation of good union jobs.
More than $200 million in PFIP funding channeled through SWIFT is dedicated to human-operated, zero-emission cargo-handling equipment, charging infrastructure, low-emission harbor craft, and shore power expansions. The Port recently authorized an additional $58.2 million in SWIFT funding to acquire 61 zero-emissions human-operated cargo-handling units, 21 charging units, six zero-emissions harbor craft, five cleaner harbor craft, and one zero-emissions locomotive. The Port of Long Beach currently boasts one of the nation’s largest zero-emissions cargo-handling fleets, with 21% already converted.