Pacific Harbor Line recognized for global trade leadership with Bob Kleist Award

Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH) announced that its Pacific Harbor Line (PHL) has been awarded the prestigious Bob Kleist Leadership Award for 2025 during the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce’s World Trade Week celebration.

Presented annually by the Chamber, the award honors exceptional leadership in the development and promotion of global trade in Southern California. Named after the late Bob Kleist—an icon of international business advocacy—the award recognizes individuals and organizations whose efforts have strengthened the region’s role as a global trade gateway.

“PHL is honored to be recognized with the Bob Kleist Leadership Award,” said Otis L. Cliatt II, President of Pacific Harbor Line. “This award celebrates the essential role of rail in international logistics, and we’re proud to serve at the heart of America’s busiest port complex.”

Since its founding in 1998, Pacific Harbor Line has served as the neutral switching railroad for the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, providing safe and efficient rail operations that connect port terminals to the national rail network. PHL’s 60 miles of track support the seamless movement of intermodal cargo, while minimizing truck traffic and reducing environmental impact.

The World Trade Week ceremony featured remarks from trade leaders, including: Maria Salinas, President and CEO of the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce; Noel Hacegaba of the Port of Long Beach, recipient of the Stanley T. Olafson Award; and Corinne Murat, who presented the Bob Kleist Award to PHL.

The award builds on PHL’s longstanding record of excellence, including multiple national safety awards and recognition by the Federal Railroad Administration for its service and workforce development during the COVID-19 pandemic. PHL has also been nationally recognized for its innovative deployment of clean locomotive technology, including the nation’s first zero-exhaust emission, battery-electric switcher. Its ongoing investment in sustainable operations reflects its broader commitment to community, labor partnerships, and supply chain innovation.