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Port of Long Beach: Operations and Sustainability Report

Executive Summary

The Port of Long Beach maintains a robust operational pace, comparable to the record-setting performance of the previous year. Proactive measures by retailers, who advanced shipment orders to mitigate tariff impacts, have ensured a steady flow of cargo. Despite external economic pressures and policy shifts, the port demonstrates significant operational resilience. This report details current trade volumes, economic forecasts, and the port’s substantial contributions to global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its strategic initiatives.

Trade Volume and Economic Performance

While monthly figures show a decrease compared to a historic peak in the prior year, the overall year-to-date volume indicates positive growth. This performance underscores the port’s critical role in the national supply chain and its contribution to economic stability, aligning with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

• Total October 2025 Cargo: 839,671 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), a 14.9% decrease from the record month of October 2024.
• Imports: 401,915 TEUs (a 17.6% decline).
• Exports: 99,817 TEUs (an 11.5% decrease).
• Empty Containers: 337,940 TEUs (a 12.6% decrease).

Despite the monthly dip, the port’s performance over the first ten months of 2025 reflects sustained economic activity:

1. Year-to-Date Volume: 8,229,916 TEUs handled.
2. Year-over-Year Growth: A 4.1% increase compared to the same period last year.

Officials anticipate a strong Black Friday shopping season, though rising prices may lead to more cautious consumer behavior. The potential for future price escalation due to tariffs remains a key consideration for the supply chain.

Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Port of Long Beach has integrated sustainability into its core operational strategy, making significant contributions to several key UN Sustainable Development Goals.

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The port is a major economic engine, handling over $300 billion in trade annually and supporting 2.7 million jobs nationwide, including 691,000 in Southern California.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): As a premier U.S. gateway for trans-Pacific trade, the port exemplifies resilient and innovative infrastructure. A planned $3.2 billion in capital improvements over the next decade is aimed at enhancing capacity, competitiveness, and sustainable infrastructure.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) & SDG 13 (Climate Action): The port is a global leader in environmental stewardship, celebrating two decades of its landmark Green Port Policy. This policy has dramatically reduced the environmental impact of operations, earning the port the title of “The Best Green Seaport” and directly contributing to climate action and the creation of a more sustainable urban environment.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The port’s ability to maintain smooth cargo movement, even amidst challenges like a government shutdown, is a testament to its close coordination and strong partnerships with terminal operators, the workforce, and other supply chain stakeholders to achieve common goals.

Strategic Outlook and Future Initiatives

The Port of Long Beach is focused on building a sustainable future while delivering exceptional customer service. The Long Beach Harbor Commission has affirmed its commitment to this vision, ensuring that operational efficiency and environmental responsibility advance in tandem. The planned $3.2 billion investment underscores a long-term strategy to reinforce the port’s leadership in sustainable logistics and global trade, directly supporting the continued achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries.
     
     Explanation: The article highlights the port’s significant economic contribution, stating it “handles trade valued at more than $300 billion annually,” which is a key driver of economic activity and growth.
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors.
     
     Explanation: The port’s focus on “top-notch customer service, moving cargo with reliability, speed and efficiency” and its role as a “premier U.S. gateway for trans-Pacific trade” point to efforts to maintain high levels of economic productivity in the logistics sector.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
     
     Explanation: The Port of Long Beach is described as the “nation’s second-busiest port” and a “premier U.S. gateway,” representing critical trade infrastructure. The article mentions plans for “$3.2 billion in capital improvements aimed at enhancing capacity, competitiveness and sustainability,” directly aligning with the development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, in accordance with national capabilities.
     
     Explanation: The article explicitly states the port is a “global leader in green port initiatives” and is celebrating “20 Years of Leading Green,” marking two decades of its “landmark Green Port Policy that has dramatically reduced environmental impacts from operations.” This directly reflects the goal of upgrading infrastructure to be sustainable and environmentally sound.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
     
     Explanation: The port’s “Green Port Policy” has “dramatically reduced environmental impacts from operations.” As a major industrial hub within a large urban area, these reductions contribute directly to improving the environmental quality and sustainability of the surrounding community.

4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
     
     Explanation: The port’s identity as “The Best Green Seaport” and its long-standing “Green Port Policy” imply a commitment to sustainable management and resource efficiency within its vast operational scope, which is a critical node in global production and consumption patterns.

5. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
     
     Explanation: While the article does not use the term “climate change,” the port’s two-decade-long “Green Port Policy” and its focus on reducing environmental impacts represent the integration of climate-related mitigation measures into its core operational strategy and long-term planning.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for Economic Growth and Infrastructure (SDG 8 & 9)

   • Value of trade handled: The article states the port “handles trade valued at more than $300 billion annually,” which serves as a direct monetary indicator of its economic contribution.
   • Volume of cargo containers moved: Specific figures like “839,671 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo containers last month” and “8,229,916 TEUs through the first 10 months of 2025” are quantitative indicators of the port’s activity and its role in trade.
   • Number of jobs supported: The port “supports 2.7 million jobs across the United States, including 691,000 in Southern California,” providing a clear indicator of its social and economic impact.
   • Investment in capital improvements: The plan for “$3.2 billion in capital improvements” over the next 10 years is a financial indicator of commitment to upgrading and sustaining infrastructure.

2. Indicators for Sustainability and Environmental Impact (SDG 9, 11, 12, 13)

   • Duration of environmental policy: The celebration of “’20 Years of Leading Green,’ marking two decades of its landmark Green Port Policy” is an indicator of a long-term, sustained commitment to environmental goals.
   • Qualitative assessment of environmental impact: The statement that the policy has “dramatically reduced environmental impacts from operations” serves as an implied, albeit non-quantitative, indicator of progress.
   • Awards and recognition: Being named “‘The Best Green Seaport’ in 2025” is a qualitative indicator that provides external validation of the port’s success in its sustainability initiatives.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cyprusshippingnews.com