Episode Details

Being ready for today's volume while planning for the future is making the Port of Long Beach stand out in the supply chain space.

POLB CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba joined The Intermodal Logistics Podcast live from IANA EXPO - on his home turf - fresh off the port winning the inaugural Intermodal Innovation Award, which recognizes organizations whose leadership and vision are advancing the future of intermodal freight transportation.

Noel discusses what the port has done (and is doing) to earn the recognition, from its On-Dock Rail Support Facility to speed intermodal movement and reduce dwell to its embrace of digital tools to maximize visibility. He highlights POLB's Port of the Future initiative, which includes those projects and more innovation and infrastructure allowing it to double its cargo throughput by 2050.

And it's not just the future, as Dr. Hacegaba points out the port is coming off a record 2025 and on track for a new volume record this year, even as cargo has shifted from China to Southeast Asia and tariff uncertainty lingers. He discusses how POLB has handled the elevated volume without the issue of ships at anchor that occurred in 2021. Noel also tells us how his role has changed after being promoted from COO to CEO at the start of the year, now 16 years into his time at Long Beach.

Find out more about the Port of Long Beach at www.polb.com. 

This is episode five of six from EXPO 2026. Be sure to follow this feed to get all of our Intermodal EXPO - and regular - episodes first, and comment to keep the conversation going. Ratings and reviews are also always welcome - we appreciate your support! 

Have a question? Contact us at podcast@inteklogistics.com. And visit our website, www.inteklogistics.com to learn more.