The Port of Los Angeles has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking interested parties for the pre-development of a new terminal. The proposed Pier 500 Marine Container Terminal Project is expected to increase the port’s cargo handling capacity, create jobs and improve the port’s sustainability, according to port officials.
The selected entity would enter into a public-private pre-development agreement with the port, with potential to subsequently enter into a leasing and development agreement. The pre-development phase would be used to scope the project’s financial feasibility, procure entitlements and handle other requirements needed before implementation of the project. This includes all necessary environmental assessments as required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The Pier 500 project is designed to build a new, stand-alone marine container terminal at the Port of Los Angeles. It would be located just south of and along the Pier 400 Channel, currently the port’s largest container terminal. The Pier would be located in natural deep water on the southern tip of the Port’s Terminal Island.
As proposed, the site would be 200 acres and feature two new berths providing approximately 3,000 linear feet of new, available wharf. Part of the project would leverage an existing, submerged 124-acre site, which was added during the construction of Pier 400 in 2002. The entire proposed project including pre-development, entitlement procurement, environmental review, full build-out and operation is expected to take about 10 years, according to port officials.
Once completed, the proposed new pier would help the port meet the global supply chain demand expected in the future. It would also greatly increase port cargo efficiency, allow for bigger, next-generation cargo ships and create a sustainable terminal with enhancements to efficiency and climate resilience.
The full RFP as well as information on where to submit questions regarding the RFP or the pre-proposal can be found on the port’s website. Questions are due by Oct. 22. The answers will be posted Nov. 12. Full proposal submissions are due to the Port of Los Angeles by Jan. 29, 2026.
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