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Plan Funded $400 Million in LA Waterfront Projects, Community and Educational Programs Over Last Decade

April 24, 2025 – Alongside record-setting cargo volume, the Port of Los Angeles has invested more than $400 million in LA Waterfront projects, initiatives and education programs over the past decade through its Public Access Investment Plan (PAIP). Celebrating its 10-year milestone, the Port continues to invest 10% of its operating income back into the harbor communities of Wilmington and San Pedro.

“I’m so excited about the work that we’re doing with the Public Access Investment Plan, and the fact it is a community grassroots effort,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “As this Port thrives, we are able to invest more into the community. And when we have this great community pulling in the same direction…the sky is the limit.” 

“The Public Access Investment Plan took projects that the Port had on our capital project list and made them a reality,” said Port Director of Waterfront and Commercial Real Estate Mike Galvin. “We have been able to build out streets and promenades that bring more visitors and accessibility directly to the water’s edge.” 

When established in 2015, the PAIP created a direct link between the Port’s cargo success and community investment; provided more predictability and transparency for planning long-term public access projects; and ensured the long-term maintenance, programming and activation of the LA Waterfront. The PAIP also instituted a planning process that incorporated extensive community input on projects to be built.

LA Waterfront projects recently completed under the plan include the Wilmington Waterfront Promenade, San Pedro Town Square and Promenade, in addition to several road improvements and realignments to facilitate access to West Harbor, which is expected to open to the public in 2026.

Over the next decade, the Port plans to allocate another $400 million to fund additional public access projects, maintain existing projects and provide public benefit programs. Later this year, the Port plans to announce a host of new public access projects, identified with support from City Councilmember Tim McOsker and other community stakeholders, slated for development within the next five years.

Agreement Focuses on Building Skills and Career Pathsin Goods Movement Industry, Environmental Stewardship

Feb. 4, 2025 – The Port of Los Angeles and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office have signed an agreement to collaborate on initiatives to better prepare community college students for careers in the evolving goods movement industry. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) brings together the resources of America’s busiest container port with a college system that is the largest provider of workforce training in the nation.

The MOU focuses on critical issues facing the maritime industry, including zero-emission operations, decarbonization, environmental stewardship and changing technologies.

“The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office partnership with the Port of Los Angeles, a large employer in the region, will help position our colleges to support students for good jobs and careers in the climate economy,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian. “This collaboration exemplifies Vision 2030’s focus on Workforce and Economic Development recognizing that employer engagement is an essential component.”

“The goal of this MOU is to provide students with the education, skills and pathways they’ll need for future careers in our industry,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “The impetus behind this partnership is to ensure that our local colleges remain up to date with changing technologies, and that students are prepared for future job opportunities as our industry evolves.”

Partnership activities outlined in this MOU include:

•    Collaborating on how to create career path opportunities for community college students
•    Improved job-seeking processes for community college students and alumni, especially in high-demand job categories
•    More opportunities for community college students to participate in user experiences and research activities
•    Port informational sessions at community college career centers
•    Providing Port experts for career and recruitment fairs on community college campuses

The agreement builds on the Port’s ongoing efforts to promote workforce development and build clear connections between skills learned in today’s colleges with the skills in demand by employers in the goods movement industry. In November 2024, the Port and UCLA signed an agreement to foster collaborations with neighborhoods and communities around the Port, and create new learning, research and workforce opportunities for UCLA students and faculty.

Other workforce initiatives underway at the Port include the opening of a new $16 million International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU)-Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) Maintenance and Repair Training Center on Terminal Island, offering programs to reskill and up-skill ILWU workers. The Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, ILWU, PMA and California Workforce Development Board are also in the process of building a 20-acre training facility. When completed, it will be the only workforce training center in the U.S. dedicated solely to the goods movement sector.

California Air Resources Board Grant to Help Fund Passenger Ferry and Excursion Boat Demo Projects 

Jan. 16, 2025 – In partnership with Catalina Express and Harbor Breeze Cruises, the Port of Los Angeles will soon begin emission-reduction technology demonstration projects for specialized harbor craft, thanks to a $31 million grant awarded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The project will involve testing and evaluation of two different harbor craft emission-reduction technologies, and a comprehensive evaluation of next-generation, less-polluting harbor craft.

“CARB is proud to support development of the next generation of advanced marine vessels that will help protect the health of those living and working near ports,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “California is demonstrating what is possible and is leading the way in bringing cleaner marine vessel technology to the market.”

“To achieve our goal of becoming a zero-emission port, we need to incorporate a range of emission-reduction technologies throughout our port complex, as well as promote their commercialization,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “We’re grateful to the California Air Resources Board, Catalina Express and Harbor Breeze cruises for helping support this industry leading initiative to test new and promising harbor craft technologies.”  

The Los Angeles Marine Emission Reduction (LA MER) project will involve the design, construction and launch of a passenger ferry with Tier 4 engines and potentially a CARB-verified, U.S. Coast Guard-approved diesel particulate filter. Operated by Catalina Express, this new ferry will use renewable diesel and replace three smaller ferries using Tier 2 and Tier 3 engines, enhancing the efficiency of regional ferry service and also increasing emissions benefits. 

“For over 43 years, Catalina Express has been environmentally conscious and has been able to meet or exceed federal and state regulations to help reduce emissions,” said Greg Bombard, President and CEO of Catalina Express. "In addition to the re-engine projects, the company has worked with their fuel provider to migrate a majority of the Catalina Express vessels to renewable diesel, which is derived from a base of soybean oil and other vegetable stocks.

“Catalina Express is grateful to CARB for this grant and the partnership with the Port of Los Angeles,” Bombard added. “Their support has allowed us to move forward on the construction of this new vessel to further the mission of environmental advancement and continuing to provide a valuable and affordable ferry service to Catalina Island for Island residents, visitors and local communities.”

Additionally, in partnership with Harbor Breeze Cruises, the LA MER project will entail the design, construction and deployment of two zero-emission capable excursion boats. The vessels are expected to exceed the regulatory definition of a Zero-Emission Advanced Technology (ZEAT) vessel and will be able to operate a minimum of 30% of the time in zero-emission mode, with some trips operating as much as 100%, depending on route length and other factors. 

“It’s such an honor to have started my career at the Port of Los Angeles decades ago and to watch advancements in technology over the years,” said Capt. Dan Salas, founder and owner of Harbor Breeze Cruises. “The forward-thinking San Pedro Bay ports are tackling local and global challenges to reduce criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases by supporting projects like this to create a healthier community and environment.”

The project capstone will be a detailed evaluation on the feasibility and commercial status of both emission-reduction technologies, including identifying infrastructure gaps for zero-emission harbor craft and the potential for marinizing the diesel particulate filter. The evaluation will also look at workforce development needs related to training harbor-craft workers in new engine technologies and advanced battery-electric solutions for tugs, ferries and pilot boats operating in the San Pedro Bay.

Grant partners Catalina Express and Harbor Breeze Cruises will each contribute a $15 million match toward their respective demonstration program. The Los Angeles Harbor Commission has approved $650,000 of Port of Los Angeles funds to help fund the project evaluation study. The Port of Long Beach will contribute approximately $340,000 to support the Port of Los Angeles' technology evaluation in coordination with harbor craft operators, regulators, engine manufacturers, technology developers and the U.S. Coast Guard.

LA MER is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.