San Pedro Bay ports bidding short line rail services

The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are accepting proposals from prospective short line railroad operators interested in providing railroad operating and maintenance services within the San Pedro Bay ports complex.

The San Pedro Bay ports complex is the most active in the Western Hemisphere, moving almost 20 million containers collectively in 2024. Though administered separately by the harbor departments of its respective cities, the ports are served by the same short line rail network, which facilitates intermodal rail services for terminals in both ports. Pacific Harbor Line Inc. has provided short line rail services since 1998, when the joint contract was last bid.

A request for proposals with detailed information and an application schedule is available at the Port of Long Beach’s PlanetBids site. Proposals are due at 5 p.m. Monday, July 28, 2025.

Enhancing utilization of on-dock rail – moving containers directly from terminals to trains – is critical to the goals of the Clean Air Action Plan, a landmark partnership between the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. The CAAP was last updated in 2017 and, among other goals, set a target of moving 35% of containers away from terminals via train. The Port of Long Beach has a multibillion-dollar, 10-year capital program heavily focused on rail infrastructure, including the $1.8 billion Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility.

In 2025, the Port is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Green Port Policy, which has led to aggressive, industry-leading programs to improve air and water quality, protect marine wildlife and implement sustainable practices.