Port of Los Angeles Unveils Record Successes and Ambitious Goals for 2025 at 10th Annual State of the Port Luncheon

By Natasha Villa, External Affairs Manager, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association

On January 23, 2025, the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) hosted the 10th Annual State of the Port of Los Angeles Luncheon in collaboration with the Port of Los Angeles, with a keynote address by Executive Director Gene Seroka.

Seroka, speaking before a sold-out audience of approximately 640 attendees, outlined the Port’s stellar performance in 2024, processing over 10.3 million TEUs— a 20% increase from the previous year. He highlighted the Port's balanced focus on “people, planet, and performance,” underscoring how the Port is both driving economic growth and reducing emissions. “We’ve achieved record-low emissions levels while moving more cargo than ever before,” Seroka said. He also discussed ongoing efforts to reduce the Port’s carbon footprint, including the introduction of zero-emission trucks and shorepower.

Seroka also highlighted the Port’s green initiatives, including zero-emission projects. He stressed that the Port’s focus on sustainability is not just about protecting the environment but also about future-proofing the Port’s workforce. He emphasized workforce development through initiatives like the ILWU-PMA Maintenance and Repair Training Center, which prepares future generations for careers in maritime decarbonization.

This milestone event also featured comments by Deputy Mayor Rachel Freeman made on behalf of City of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who was unable to attend due to her need to address the wildfire emergency.   Deputy Mayor Freeman delivered remarks acknowledging the Port’s central role in both the city’s economic recovery and its environmental future. “This International Gateway is going to be an integral part of moving goods as we begin the rebuild process for Angelenos,” Freeman said, referencing the ongoing efforts to recover from the devastating wildfires in the region. She emphasized that Mayor Bass’s administration is committed to both job protection and cleaning up the air, adding, “We can do both at the same time, but only through a collaborative approach with both our private sector partners and regulators.” Freeman also stressed the importance of the Port’s Zero Emissions (ZE) Master Plan, which will be implemented within an enforceable framework to ensure long-term sustainability.

Looking forward, Seroka’s remarks painted an optimistic picture for the future, with continued collaboration between the Port, regulators, and industry stakeholders to meet environmental goals and maintain the Port’s leadership in global trade. The Port of Los Angeles, as Freeman and Seroka both pointed out, is set to be a driving force for economic recovery and environmental stewardship in the years to come.

The State of the Port also featured two new drone videos of the Port’s container terminal operations and the Los Angeles waterfront.  These high-tech and cinematic videos were developed to “provide soaring views, and a new perspective of the vibrancy and energy of the Port of Los Angeles,” according to the Port Communications Director Phillip Sanfield.  The video focusing on the Port’s cargo operations features a vessel approaching the harbor, ship-to-shore gantry cranes in action loading and unloading ships at berth, and some of the Port’s latest zero-emissions cargo handling equipment moving containers, along with rail and truck operations.

The proceeds of the luncheon go to provide ongoing support for the educational non-profit, EXP and the International Seafarers Center. Over the past 10 years, the State of the Port of LA event has raised more than $300,000 for these two worthy organizations that work to develop the supply chain workforce of the future and that are there to ensure support for the mariners that serve on vessels in our harbors now. These two charities were chosen because they highlight the Port of Los Angeles’ and PMSA’s deep commitments to both local community and the maritime workforce.

A special thank you goes to the Port of Los Angeles staff for their exceptional partnership in the production of this event, as well as all of the generous sponsors who contributed to its success, including Ports America, which provided the event venue at the Los Angeles World Cruise Center.

The full event livestream was also recorded, and the video is now available on YouTube here, courtesy of the Port of Los Angeles.