The Logistics of Logistics Long Beach: Port of the Future with Dr. Noel Hacegaba
Dr. Noel Hacegaba is the Chief Operating Officer of the Port of Long Beach, the nation's second busiest seaport. He is responsible for managing the Port’s day to day operations, including commercial services, finance & administration, engineering services, planning & environmental affairs and strategic advocacy. In recent years, Dr. Hacegaba led the Port’s response to the global supply chain disruptions, directing the Business Recovery Taskforce and coordinating with industry, labor and government partners to keep cargo moving. Dr. Hacegaba is also leading the development of the Port’s Supply Chain Information Highway to facilitate data sharing and enable end to end visibility across the supply chain. Prior to joining the Port, he managed a $200 million portfolio for a Fortune 500 company. In total, he has more than 26 years of public and private sector experience spanning a variety of industries. Dr. Hacegaba received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Southern California and earned his doctorate from the University of La Verne. He is a Certified Port Executive and Port Professional Executive and serves on various industry and policy Boards, including IANA and CAGTC.
About Port of Long BeachThe Port of Long Beach is a global leader in green port initiatives and top-notch customer service, moving cargo with reliability, speed and efficiency. As the premier U.S. gateway for trans-Pacific trade, the Port handles trade valued at $300 billion annually and supports 2.7 million jobs across the United States. It is one of 18 commercial strategic seaports in the United States, with a duty to support force deployment during contingencies and other national defense emergencies. In 2025, the Port is celebrating “20 Years of Leading Green,” marking two decades of its landmark Green Port Policy that has dramatically reduced environmental impacts from operations. Industry leaders named Long Beach "The Best West Coast Seaport in North America" for a seventh consecutive year and "The Best Green Seaport" in 2025. During the next 10 years, the Port is planning $3.2 billion in capital improvements aimed at enhancing capacity, competitiveness and sustainability.
Key Takeaways: Long Beach: Port of the Future- In “Long Beach: Port of the Future”, Joe Lynch and Dr. Noel Hacegaba, Chief Operating Officer of the Port of Long Beach, the massive $3.2 billion investment in capacity and sustainability, the implementation of the Supply Chain Information Highway for digital visibility, and the Port's two decades of Green Port Policy leadership, solidifying its role as the economic engine and strategic global gateway setting the standards for the industry’s future.
- The Digital Future of Logistics: The Port is actively building the Supply Chain Information Highway, a major initiative led by Dr. Hacegaba. This takeaway highlights how the Port is using data-sharing and end-to-end visibility to create a more efficient, predictable, and digitally integrated supply chain for tomorrow.
- Green is the New Benchmark: The Port of Long Beach is a global leader in sustainability, celebrating "20 Years of Leading Green" in 2025. This positions the Port's landmark Green Port Policy as the critical model for how the maritime industry must operate to secure an environmentally responsible future, reinforcing their title as "The Best Green Seaport."
- Leadership in Crisis & Resilience: Dr. Hacegaba's experience leading the Business Recovery Taskforce and coordinating with labor and government during global supply chain disruptions showcases the Port's agility and strategic importance in maintaining the flow of global trade, a non-negotiable trait for any "Port of the Future."
- Massive Investment in Capacity: A $3.2 billion capital improvement plan over the next 10 years demonstrates a firm commitment to future-proofing. This investment targets enhanced capacity, competitiveness, and sustainability, ensuring the Port remains a premier gateway for trans-Pacific trade.
- A National Economic Engine: The Port’s scale is immense, handling $300 billion in trade annually and supporting 2.7 million jobs across the United States. This takeaway emphasizes the crucial role of the Port’s future success in the broader context of the nation's economic health and stability.
- Strategic National Security Asset: Beyond commerce, the Port is designated as one of 18 commercial strategic seaports in the U.S. This highlights its dual role in not only facilitating trade but also supporting national defense and force deployment during contingencies.
- Operational Excellence & World-Class Service: The Port's consecutive recognition as "The Best West Coast Seaport in North America" for seven years running points to a culture of top-notch customer service, reliability, speed, and efficiency—qualities that define the operational standard for any future-ready global trade hub.
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The Logistics of Logistics Podcast