APM Terminals Completes $73 Million Rail Expansion at Port of Los Angeles
APM Terminals has completed a $73 million rail expansion project at its Pier 400 terminal in the Port of Los Angeles, effectively doubling the on-dock rail capacity at this key hub.
The Port of Los Angeles handles more container cargo than any other U.S. port, making efficient rail infrastructure critical for truck drivers hauling imports and exports. On-dock rail allows containers to move directly from ships to rail cars without additional drayage trucking to off-port yards, reducing road congestion and wait times for drivers.
The expansion upgrades the terminal’s intermodal rail facility, which serves as a primary connection point for BNSF Railway and Union Pacific. Prior to the project, the terminal processed rail moves through a single-track system with limited storage. The improvements include additional tracks, expanded storage yards, and enhanced loading equipment.
These changes enable the terminal to handle up to twice the previous volume of rail containers. For professional drivers, this means shorter chassis turnaround times and fewer delays at the gate when picking up or dropping off containers destined for or arriving from rail.
APM Terminals, a division of A.P. Moller-Maersk, operates Pier 400 as one of the largest container terminals on the West Coast. The project aligns with ongoing port efforts to increase rail’s share of container movements, which currently account for about 40% of outbound cargo at the San Pedro Bay complex.
Rail expansion supports truck drivers by balancing freight flows. When rail takes more containers inland, it eases pressure on highways like the I-710 and I-5, common routes for drayage runs from the port to rail ramps, warehouses, and distribution centers across Southern California and beyond.
The Port of Los Angeles has pursued multiple rail improvements in recent years. This project builds on federal and state investments in grade separations and track extensions, addressing bottlenecks that previously forced drivers to idle for hours during peak seasons.
For drivers running regular LA turns, the doubled capacity should improve predictability. Containers can now load onto trains faster, reducing the need for temporary storage and associated demurrage fees that impact haulers.
The completion comes amid fluctuating container volumes at the port. While import peaks have eased since 2022 highs, steady rail utilization remains essential for efficient supply chains serving retail, manufacturing, and e-commerce freight.
Trucks continue to handle the majority of short-haul moves from the port, but enhanced rail options provide drivers with more reliable schedules for longer hauls to rail handoff points in places like Corcoran, Fresno, and Cajon Pass.
APM Terminals emphasized the project’s role in sustainability, noting reduced truck miles traveled per container. Each rail move replaces multiple truck trips, cutting emissions and fuel costs across the logistics network that drivers navigate daily.
The terminal now features automated gate systems and real-time tracking integrated with rail partners, helping drivers plan routes with better visibility into container status.
This upgrade positions Pier 400 to process larger vessel calls efficiently, as mega-ships increasingly call at Los Angeles. Drivers benefit from streamlined operations that minimize time spent in queue lines at berths and rail yards.
Port data indicates that on-dock rail facilities like this one achieve dwell times under 48 hours for 85% of containers, compared to longer periods at off-dock yards. The expansion sustains these metrics even as throughput grows.
For independent operators and fleet drivers alike, the improved rail flow means fewer empty miles and backhauls, as balanced inbound-outbound patterns support consistent loads on return runs.
The $73 million investment reflects collaboration between APM Terminals, the port, and federal grants through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Similar projects at other terminals continue, aiming for 25% rail penetration by 2030.
Drivers working the LA port can expect operational changes to roll out progressively as rail service ramps up. Coordination with rail schedules will remain key for optimizing pickups and deliveries.