The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are now accepting proposals from prospective operators of the shortline railroad serving the largest U.S. container gateway.
Pacific Harbor Line has provided the service since 1998, the last time the contract was put out for bid. While the two ports are administered by the harbor departments of their respective cities, a single shortline network serves both ports. The operator selected will have to enter into separate operating agreements with each port; those agreements have different requirements.
The hubs handled almost 20 million containers in 2024 and have a goal of moving 35% of containers away from the facilities by train under a Clean Air Action Plan…