Port of Long Beach gets record funds to bolster infrastructure

In February, the Port of Long Beach welcomed Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) Adam Telle and Maj. Gen. Jason Kelly, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deputy commanding general for Civil and Emergency Operations, for a meeting and harbor tour with Port CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba to discuss the Port’s Deep Draft Navigation Project, which will enhance both safety and cargo velocity at one of the nation's busiest ports. Foreground from left: Long Beach Harbor Commissioner Bonnie Lowenthal, Hacegaba, Kelly and Telle. The Port of Long Beach will receive a record amount of nearly $70 million in federal funding allocated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for infrastructure upkeep and improvement projects that will promote safe and efficient freight transportation at the nation’s busiest seaport complex.

The funds drawn from the Harbor Maintenance Tax are collected by the federal government from ports based on the value of imports, some domestic cargo and on cruise passengers. Established by Congress in 1986 to fund dredging projects at U.S. seaports, funds from the Harbor Maintenance Tax were typically collected from but not directed to ports like the Port of Long Beach. The Water Resources Development Act of 2020, however, expanded the use of funds to include in-water maintenance and repair projects, allowing for a more equitable distribution among large and small seaports.

Combined, the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles will receive a record $148 million as part of the Army Corps of Engineers work plan.

At the Port of Long Beach, funding will support projects that include maintenance dredging, replacing the steel bulkhead along the Back Channel, upgrading fenders and bollards, repairing berthing systems, seismic retrofit and repairs for the Pier C wharf, seismic improvement of the Pier F dike and miscellaneous rock dike and wharf repairs throughout the port. About $500 million in eligible projects are planned during the next decade.

“After years of donor and energy transfer ports being shortchanged, I’m pleased to see the Army Corps finally implementing the reforms Congress enacted in 2020 to ensure these ports receive their fair share,” said Sen. Alex Padilla. “When I raised this directly with Assistant Secretary Adam Telle earlier this year, he committed to following the law — and this funding reflects that commitment. These investments will allow the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to move forward on critical infrastructure and maintenance projects, including seismic upgrades, wharf repairs, and other essential improvements that keep our supply chains strong and resilient.”

“Our ports across Southern California are leading economic drivers for our state and country, handling large volumes of imports and exports on the global stage,” said Sen. Adam Schiff. “These critical funds will address long overdue maintenance projects and safety upgrades — ensuring our ports remain the finest global trade hubs in the world.”

“This funding is a real win for the Port of Long Beach and our community,” said Rep. Robert Garcia. “It means crucial upgrades, stronger infrastructure, and a port that stays competitive for the workers and families who depend on it. We fought hard to make sure ports like ours get the investments they deserve, and today that work is paying off.”

“Long Beach has always been a city where global trade and local opportunity go hand in hand, and this investment ensures we can continue to deliver for both,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “These federal dollars will strengthen critical infrastructure at the Port of Long Beach, supporting good-paying jobs, improving safety and resilience along our waterfront, and keeping goods moving efficiently through one of the nation’s most vital gateways. We’re grateful to our federal partners, including Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Robert Garcia, for helping secure resources that power our port and uplift our entire community.”

“Trade from the Port of Long Beach touches every corner of the country, generating $176 billion in income,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna. “These projects will help strengthen waterfront structures and improve the navigation of vessels carrying the cargo that supports this economic activity. We are grateful to the Army Corps of Engineers for reinvesting funding in donor ports.”

“The Port of Long Beach is a leading gateway contributing to the U.S. economy, and this funding will help us keep commerce flowing safely and efficiently as we build the Port of the Future and double our cargo throughput to 20 million container units annually by 2050,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba. “We thank Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Adam Schiff, Rep. Robert Garcia, and all of our congressional leaders and federal partners for their reliable partnership in supporting the needs of California’s ports with this record allocation.”

The investment reflects strong partnerships with leaders in Washington including Hacegaba’s recent testimony to the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, as well as continued collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through multiple visits to the port.

“The work we do at the Port of Long Beach is connected to millions of jobs around the country,” Hacegaba said. “Our ability to safely accommodate modern vessels and move cargo efficiently depend on well-maintained deepwater channels and in-water infrastructure. We are grateful for the continued federal partnership through WRDA, which enables the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to plan, authorize and deliver critical projects that keep our waterways ready and support America’s leadership in the global economy.”

The Port of Long Beach is building the Port of the Future, guided by its bold new 2050 vision and a plan to double current container volumes to 20 million annually by 2050. By strategically modernizing the Port’s infrastructure with $3.2 billion in capital investments over the next decade and developing digital systems to dramatically enhance efficiency and visibility, the Port is also becoming the world’s first zero-emissions port. Today the Port moves cargo valued at $300 billion a year and generates 2.7 million jobs across the U.S., as it continues to lead the world on sustainability programs and plans to double those benefits by doubling volume. As one of only 18 commercial strategic seaports in the U.S. with a duty to support force deployment during national defense emergencies, a community partner that offers $3 million per year in sponsorships for local nonprofits and a major catalyst for workforce development creating opportunities for students far and wide, the Port is well-positioned for even higher achievements. After all, industry leaders named Long Beach “The Best West Coast Seaport in North America” for a seventh consecutive year and “The Best Green Seaport” in 2025. The Port of Long Beach. Always open. Always moving.