Long Beach Withdraws From Joint Port Training Center with Los Angeles

Port of Long Beach cites "unmet terms on equitable partnership conditions" in decision to step away from $150 million project.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The Port of Long Beach has notified the Port of Los Angeles that it will withdraw from a partnership to construct an ambitious $150 million workforce training facility set to open in 2029. The Port of Long Beach cited "unmet terms on equitable partnership conditions" and uncertainties surrounding the project's cost as factors in its decision, though details have not been made public. The Port of Los Angeles plans to move forward with the Goods Movement Training Campus project on its own.

Why it matters

The joint training center was envisioned as the first-of-its-kind facility in the nation to focus on training a new generation of supply chain workers, from longshore to trucking and warehouse jobs. Its withdrawal is a setback for efforts to address workforce development needs in the critical goods movement industry serving the San Pedro Bay port complex.

The details

The Port of Long Beach notified the Port of Los Angeles that it would be "stepping away from the project" due to "unmet terms on equitable partnership conditions regarding co-ownership and management of the project, as well as uncertainty about the cost of the project." The Port of Los Angeles plans to move forward with the training campus on its own, though details on how it will proceed without Long Beach's involvement are still to be determined.

  • In March 2023, officials from both ports celebrated the state pledging $110 million for the project, which was expected to cost up to $150 million total.
  • The training center was expected to open by 2029.

The players

Port of Long Beach

One of the two major ports in the San Pedro Bay port complex, located in Long Beach, California.

Port of Los Angeles

One of the two major ports in the San Pedro Bay port complex, located in Los Angeles, California.

Gene Seroka

Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles.

Noel Hacegaba

CEO of the Port of Long Beach.

Dave Arian

Former Los Angeles harbor commissioner and past International Longshore and Warehouse Union international president, who first proposed the idea for the training center.

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What they’re saying

“We believe it is to the benefit of the San Pedro Bay ports complex and the state of California for the Port of Long Beach to focus on its own initiatives while our organizations continue to collaborate on other objectives.”

— Noel Hacegaba, CEO, Port of Long Beach (dailybreeze.com)

“Unmet terms on equitable partnership conditions regarding co-ownership and management of the project, as well as uncertainty about the cost of the project, were factors that led to the port's decision to step away from the project.”

— Noel Hacegaba, CEO, Port of Long Beach (dailybreeze.com)

“It's a 'regrettable change,' but the Port of L.A. 'remains fully committed to this project.'”

— Gene Seroka, Executive Director, Port of Los Angeles (dailybreeze.com)

What’s next

The matter is scheduled to come up for an agenda discussion at the Port of L.A.'s commission meeting on Feb. 26, where port staff are expected to provide a full report on the situation.

The takeaway

The withdrawal of the Port of Long Beach from the joint training center project is a setback for efforts to address critical workforce development needs in the goods movement industry serving the vital San Pedro Bay port complex. However, the Port of Los Angeles remains committed to moving forward with the project on its own, underscoring the importance of training the next generation of supply chain workers.