Port of Long Beach Begins $365M Terminal Expansion Increasing Capacity 50%

The Port of Long Beach has initiated a $365 million expansion project by International Transportation Service (ITS) to boost its cargo-handling capacity by 50%, addressing the growing demand for accommodating larger ships. The South Slip Fill Project involves filling in 19 acres of water to extend the wharf by 560 feet, creating a unified, more efficient terminal capable of berthing two ultra-large vessels carrying 18,000 containers each. This expansion, expected to finish by 2028, aims to move an additional one million containers annually and create hundreds of local construction jobs using primarily U.S.-sourced materials. Port officials emphasize the project's role in strengthening America's supply chain and advancing environmental stewardship through modernized terminal operations and green infrastructure investments. Despite recent slowdowns in container movements linked to President Trump's tariff policies, port leaders remain committed to growth and efficiency improvements to maintain global trade competitiveness. The project complements ongoing upgrades at the port, including a $1.6 billion on-dock rail system, underscoring the port's resilience and strategic importance to Pacific Rim trade.