Ports of Long Beach, LA solicit bids for short-line rail operator

The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are accepting proposals from prospective short-line operators interested in providing railroad operating and maintenance services within the San Pedro Bay ports complex, the ports announced Tuesday.

Though administered separately by the harbor departments of their respective cities, the ports are served by the same short-line rail network, which facilitates intermodal rail services for terminals in both ports.

Pacific Harbor Line Inc. has provided short-line rail services since 1998, when the joint contract was last bid, according to a press release issued by the Port of Long Beach. 

A request for proposals with detailed information and an application schedule is available at the Port of Long Beach’s PlanetBids site. Proposals are due July 28.

The San Pedro Bay ports complex is the most active in the Western Hemisphere, handling almost 20 million containers collectively in 2024, port officials said.

The Port of Long Beach has a multibillion-dollar, 10-year capital program heavily focused on rail infrastructure, including the $1.8 billion Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility.