Port of Long Beach to host Truck Driver Appreciation Day

The Port of Long Beach will host a Truck Driver Appreciation event on Tuesday, Sept. 16, as a way to thank drivers for ensuring the safe, secure and timely delivery of cargo containers moving through the harbor.

Free breakfast and lunch will be served at the event, scheduled for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Port of Long Beach Terminal Access Center, 1265 Harbor Ave., Long Beach, 90813. Port-branded gifts will be distributed at the event, which coincides with National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

Long Beach Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna will deliver remarks during the event at 9:30 a.m., along with Kiana Marzo, an air resources technician for the California Air Resources Board, and Niki Okuk, deputy director of trucks and off-road for the nonprofit CALSTART, which focuses on supporting the growth of the clean transportation technology industry.

Representatives from the California Air Resources Board will be available to conduct testing on a first-come, first-served basis, and explain requirements for the Clean Truck Check. The program aims to meet air quality standards by ensuring heavy-duty vehicle emissions control systems operate properly throughout the life of the vehicle.

Also on hand will be CALSTART representatives to explain how to access funding for purchasing new zero-emissions trucks through the California Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Incentive Project. With funds collected by the San Pedro Bay ports, HVIP offers significant assistance in truck purchases.

Information will be available in Spanish and English.

The Port of Long Beach is a global leader in green port initiatives and top-notch customer service, moving cargo with reliability, speed and efficiency. As the premier U.S. gateway for trans-Pacific trade, the Port handles trade valued at more than $300 billion annually and supports 2.7 million jobs across the United States, including 691,000 in Southern California. It is one of 18 commercial strategic seaports in the United States, with a duty to support force deployment during contingencies and other national defense emergencies. In 2025, the Port is celebrating “20 Years of Leading Green,” marking two decades of its landmark Green Port Policy that has dramatically reduced environmental impacts from operations. 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. During the next 10 years, the Port is planning $3.2 billion in capital improvements aimed at enhancing capacity, competitiveness and sustainability.