The Port of Long Beach, the nation’s second-busiest seaport, has secured over $2.6 million from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to upgrade critical infrastructure and strengthen security operations. This significant grant, awarded under FEMA’s Port Security Grant Program, aims to enhance cybersecurity, expand drone detection, and fortify network systems critical for cargo movement.
Ranked as the third-largest recipient under this year’s program, the Port of Long Beach will direct these funds toward safeguarding the infrastructure that underpins its role as a major U.S. trade gateway. Security enhancements will include advanced technology solutions to mitigate cyber threats and state-of-the-art tools for monitoring airspace activity near the port’s facilities. This grant not only supports a stable flow of goods but also contributes to securing the $200 billion in annual cargo transiting through the port.
In addition to the port’s primary funding, FEMA allocated an extra $4.2 million to boost security across six specific terminals, as well as the Long Beach Police Department’s Port Police Division and the Long Beach Fire Department. This combined effort signals a robust investment in the port’s long-term security framework.
“These investments are vital in safeguarding our port’s operations and ensuring the secure movement of trade,” stated Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, emphasizing the role these upgrades play in the city’s strategic vision for safe, efficient operations at the port.
Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero echoed this sentiment, recognizing the grant’s role in expanding the port’s emergency resilience: “This grant will bolster the Port’s existing security systems and enhance the resiliency of our operations in the event of an emergency.”
Incorporating cutting-edge technology, the funding enhances the port’s capacity to protect an economic hub responsible for sustaining over 2.6 million jobs. Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal highlighted the broader impact, noting, “This grant will elevate our ability to protect the harbor with state-of-the-art technology and secure the livelihoods of more than 2.6 million people whose jobs depend on Port operations.”
Sen. Alex Padilla and Rep. Robert Garcia have both championed the port’s role as a vital economic force and a linchpin of national security, applauding the FEMA funds as a key step in protecting jobs and strengthening the nation’s trade infrastructure. Their advocacy underscores the importance of this grant as a tool for promoting sustainable and resilient security solutions.
The Port of Long Beach continues to expand its security capabilities, reinforcing its position as a critical node in trans-Pacific trade and ensuring the stability of U.S. supply chains. This recent federal investment highlights a committed, multi-agency effort to bolster national security through port infrastructure advancements.
