Newly installed Long Beach Harbor Commission President Steven Neal said Monday he will prioritize the infrastructure, sustainability and technology programs supporting the Port of Long Beach's long-term "Port of the Future" strategy.

At his first meeting as board president, Neal said the commission would continue advancing initiatives aimed at strengthening the Southern California gateway's role in cargo handling, rail connectivity, customer service and environmental performance.

The agenda includes the port's recently launched goal of doubling annual container throughput to 20 million twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) by 2050 while transitioning to a fully zero-emissions seaport. That growth target comes as U.S. ports face mounting pressure to modernize aging infrastructure to handle larger vessels and shifting trade patterns, particularly as Asia-to-North America cargo volumes are projected to rise over coming decades.

"Innovation has always defined the Port of Long Beach," Neal said. "From pioneering environmental initiatives to building world-class infrastructure, we have never been afraid to explore bold ideas. Today, we are continuing that legacy by responsibly evaluating technologies that could redefine how ports operate for generations to come."

A central infrastructure project is the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility, which is designed to triple the port's on-dock rail capacity, strengthen connections to the national rail network and reduce rail dwell time from about four days to 24 hours. The project is also intended to reduce truck traffic and associated emissions in and around the harbor complex. Expanding on-dock rail is widely seen across the U.S. port sector as critical to moving cargo more efficiently onto freight rail corridors and reducing highway congestion, a priority reinforced by federal infrastructure funding commitments in recent years.

This week, the port purchased a 13-story office building in downtown Long Beach for $36 million, with plans to create a maritime business hub.

Neal also highlighted the port's efforts to expand the use of electricity, hydrogen and methanol as lower-emission energy sources. He pointed to a recent partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration aimed at developing operational, safety and security standards for potential nuclear-energy deployment in port operations. The exploration of nuclear energy for maritime use aligns with broader industry interest in advanced reactor technologies as ports worldwide seek pathways to decarbonize operations that have historically relied heavily on diesel fuel.

"As global trade continues to expand and the demand for reliable, clean energy grows, we have an opportunity to lead — not simply by adapting to change, but by helping shape it," Neal said.

Neal is serving his second six-year term on the Harbor Commission after first joining the board in 2019. He previously chaired the commission from 2021 to 2022 and has served two terms as vice president. Before joining the commission, he represented North Long Beach on the Long Beach City Council from 2010 to 2014.

Under the city charter, the five-member Harbor Commission establishes policy for the port and oversees Chief Executive Officer Noel Hacegaba, who leads an organization of about 600 employees. The Port of Long Beach, together with the adjacent Port of Los Angeles, forms the San Pedro Bay port complex — the largest container gateway in the Western Hemisphere — giving policy decisions there broad implications for national supply chains and retail inventory flows.