The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles have launched a joint procurement process for short line rail services across the San Pedro Bay ports complex. The contract will cover operations and maintenance of rail infrastructure that supports intermodal cargo movement at both ports. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on July 28, 2025.
The existing short line agreement, currently held by Pacific Harbor Line Inc. since 1998, governs rail service across terminals in both harbor districts. Although managed independently by their respective city agencies, the two ports share a unified rail network to move containers efficiently between marine terminals and national rail lines.
Strengthening on-dock rail operations remains a key strategy under the Clean Air Action Plan, which targets moving 35 per cent of container volumes directly from terminals to trains. The Port of Long Beach is investing heavily in rail infrastructure as part of its multibillion-dollar, decade-long capital program, which includes the $1.8 billion Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility.
The request for proposals is available through the Port of Long Beach’s PlanetBids portal.