The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have launched a bidding process for short line rail services within the San Pedro Bay complex, marking the first time in over two decades the contract has been opened for competitive proposals.

The request for proposals, announced May 20, invites railroad operators to submit bids for providing rail operations and maintenance services. The selected operator will manage short line rail operations that facilitate cargo movement between terminals and national rail networks.

 Photo courtesy of 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," the Port of Los Angeles said in a statement.

"Enhancing on-dock rail utilization is critical to meeting our long-term environmental and efficiency targets."

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.

Port of LA said Pacific Harbor Line Inc. has provided short line rail services since 1995, when the joint contract was last bid.

Meanwhile, the new bidding process aims to modernize operations and align with the Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP), which targets moving 35% of containers away from terminals and via rail to reduce truck congestion and emissions.

"Enhancing utilization of on-dock rail – moving containers directly from terminals to trains – is critical to the goals of the Clean Air Action Plan, a landmark partnership between the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach," the announcement said.

The Port of Los Angeles has on-dock rail service at all of its container terminals and is investing more than US$2 billion in infrastructure over the next decade, including the US$1.8 billion Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility, designed to streamline cargo movement and reduce reliance on trucking.

Proposals are due by July 28, 2025. The winning bid is expected to be announced later this year.