Posted on September 7, 2026
By Louise Davis
The Port of Los Angeles is set to see a further major investment in zero-emission cargo-handling equipment after the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners approved a new 30-year lease agreement with terminal operator, Yusen Terminals.
The agreement secures Yusen Terminals’ presence at the port through 2056 and paves the way for the company to invest a further $200 million in zero-emission equipment over the coming years.
The investment forms part of a broader shift towards the electrification and decarbonisation of one of North America’s most important freight hubs. The Port of Los Angeles, together with the neighbouring Port of Long Beach, forms the busiest port complex in North America and is supported by a fleet of more than 18,000 drayage trucks.
Both ports have been pursuing a range of zero-emission technologies, including battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell systems, alongside the infrastructure required to support their deployment. The transition is extending beyond road transport to include the equipment used directly within port and terminal operations.
Replacement programme
Yusen Terminals has already begun replacing conventional equipment with zero-emission alternatives. Its existing fleet includes electric top handlers, forklifts and yard tractors, as well as hydrogen fuel-cell equipment. The additional $200 million commitment is expected to accelerate this transition and further demonstrate how long-term infrastructure agreements can help unlock investment in cleaner industrial equipment.
Discussing this progress on the path to electrification, Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka said: “We greatly value our longstanding partnership with Yusen Terminals and the role it plays in the success of our Port. Its commitment to excellence and willingness to work closely with us have been invaluable, especially in advancing our clean air initiatives. When we called on terminals to test and incorporate zero-emission equipment, Yusen Terminals immediately stepped up.”
Yusen Terminals is owned by Ocean Network Express (ONE), one of the world’s major container shipping companies. Its renewed long-term commitment to the Port of Los Angeles provides a platform for continued investment in both terminal capacity and cleaner cargo-handling technologies.
As ports increasingly become hubs for electricity, hydrogen and other low-carbon energy infrastructure, investments such as Yusen’s are likely to play a key role within the efforts to decarbonise global supply chains while maintaining the speed and reliability of international trade.
