Redefining Port Construction: Efficiency, Sustainability and Innovation at Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is one of the busiest ports in the United States, moving cargo valued at $200 billion annually. To streamline its construction projects and enhance operational efficiency, the port turned to Jacobs.

Overcoming Construction Challenges in a High-Traffic Port

Managing construction at an active port presents unique challenges —especially at the Port of Long Beach, which handles more than 9 million 20-foot container units each year. With multiple stakeholders, constant activity and changing weather conditions, maintaining smooth operations is critical. 

To improve the construction experience, Jacobs provided umbrella program-level support construction management (PLSCM) services. This collaborative approach facilitated shared staffing and constructability reviews, integrating Jacobs experts with the port’s internal construction team. The result? A seamless working relationship that enabled rapid responses to client requests and ensured project schedules remained on track. 

Through weekly coordination meetings, our team aligned upcoming activities and equipment deliveries, ensuring minimal disruptions across active construction projects – including wharf construction, backland development, and the administration building. 

Innovative Solutions for Cost Efficiency and Sustainability 

Beyond managing logistics, we implemented innovative solutions to reduce costs and minimize environmental impact. By integrating infrastructure construction with operational startup, we ensured smooth transitions and minimized downtime. Close coordination with stakeholders kept projects on schedule without affecting operational startups.

As a leader in environmental sustainability, The Port of Long Beach - known as The Green Port - has some of the nation’s most ambitious environmental initiatives. Our environmental oversight manager ensured that stringent environmental impact report (EIR) requirements were met without delaying construction, while also exceeding environmental protection standards. The PLSCM structure further enhanced sustainability efforts, incorporating ship-to-shore crane integration and the repurposing surplus materials. 

The Benefits of a Synergistic Approach

• Integrated Construction and Operations: By merging infrastructure construction with operational startup, testing and commissioning — typically sequential processes – we accelerated project timelines. This approach enabled tenants to test and commission systems while portions of the project still under construction, allowing cargo operations to begin earlier, even amid COVID-related delays.
• Deep Business Understanding: Our team’s in-depth knowledge of business drivers allowed us to address tenants’ evolving needs,, ensuring seamless integration with port operations.
• Aligned Project Scheduling:  A rigorous alignment of project timelines with the overall program master schedule ensured adherence to critical milestones.
• Optimized Inter-Contractor Coordination: Continuous coordination with other construction contractors minimized disruptions, reduced overlapping work, and maximized efficiency.

Delivering Results: On Time and Within Budget

The success of this approach was evident in the on-time. Within-budget delivery of construction projects.

“Through innovative strategies and collaborative partnerships, we delivered the Port of Long Beach's construction projects on time, within budget, and with a strong commitment to environmental protection” says Jacobs Construction Manager Director Tony Chemali. “Our integrated program-level support construction management approach streamlined processes and maximized efficiency, setting a new standard for port construction.”