Port of Los Angeles unveils pier 500 container terminal project

The Port of Los Angeles has launched an ambitious plan to develop its first new container terminal in decades, announcing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the pre-development of the Pier 500 Terminal—a transformative project aimed at expanding capacity, enhancing sustainability, and creating thousands of local jobs.

Envisioned as a state-of-the-art, 200-acre facility, Pier 500 will feature two modern berths and about 3,000 feet of wharf space, strategically located in deep water at the southern tip of Terminal Island. The design will enable the handling of next-generation mega vessels, significantly boosting cargo efficiency and throughput at America’s busiest port.

Through the RFP, the Port seeks a public-private development partner to evaluate the project’s financial and technical feasibility, manage environmental and regulatory approvals, and advance design and entitlement work ahead of full construction.

The proposed site—situated immediately south of the existing Pier 400, the Port’s largest container terminal—includes a 124-acre submerged area originally prepared during the Pier 400 construction, which the Port now plans to repurpose for this expansion.

According to port officials, Pier 500 represents a major leap forward in the port’s modernization efforts. This project will strengthen our operational efficiency, advance sustainability goals, and deliver new economic opportunities across the region.

The pre-development phase will include extensive environmental assessments under both the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Spanning an estimated 10-year timeline from planning to completion, the Pier 500 Terminal is envisioned as a cornerstone of the Port’s long-term growth strategy—positioning Los Angeles at the forefront of sustainable, high-capacity maritime infrastructure for decades to come.