The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on May 20 announced that they are accepting proposals from prospective short line railroad operators interested in providing railroad operating and maintenance services within the San Pedro Bay ports complex.
According to the Port of Los Angeles, 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. (PHL) has provided short line rail services since 1995, when the joint contract was last bid.
A request for proposals with detailed information and an application schedule is available here. 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 (CAAP), a landmark partnership between the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach,” the ports noted.
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 Los Angeles has on-dock rail service at all of its container terminals and is investing more than $2 billion in infrastructure over the next decade, according to the Port.
8/4 Update
The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles recently announced that they are extending their agreement with PHL to manage rail operations through Dec. 31, 2026.
The extension gives the ports more time to complete an ongoing RFP process (see above) seeking prospective bidders to provide railroad operating and maintenance services within the San Pedro Bay ports complex. The RFP opened in May and gives bidders until July 28 to submit their proposals. PHL has provided short-line rail service to the port complex since 1998, the last time the contracts were bid. While the ports issue a joint RFP, each has its own contract with the rail service provider.
