The United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) has transferred 125 acres of property in Long Beach, California, to the City of Long Beach through the agency’s Port Conveyance Program. The property, which had been declared surplus by the Department of the Navy following the Base Realignment and Closure process, will be developed as a port facility. It raises the total amount of land transferred under the program to the City of Long Beach to over 400 acres.

“Investments in our ports, waterways, railways and highways pay big dividends, in more and more efficient freight movement,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “This transfer preserves the property for economic development and will ultimately create more jobs in the region.”

The Port of Long Beach’s immediate plans focus on using the property, formerly known as the Long Beach Naval Complex, is for staging containerized cargo. Long term plans for the property include the development of marine container facilities, including storage yards, loading and unloading facilities, and other related services.

“It is a proven fact that investment in port infrastructure fosters long-term job creation, encourages economic redevelopment and ensures the availability of adequate port capacity to meet the Nation’s future trade and defense needs,” said Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen.

It is anticipated that the project will increase the number of jobs at the port and all along the transportation corridor as well as spurring other economic activity which will result in additional indirect and induced jobs in the industries, businesses or companies that will use, supply or rely upon the movement of freight and consumer goods and products through the port.

Founded in 1911, the Port of Long Beach is now one of the world’s busiest seaports and is a leading gateway for trade between the United States and Asia. It includes more than 7,600 acres of wharves, cargo terminals, roadways, rail yards, and shipping channels. According to the port, it supports over one-million jobs nationally and generates billions of dollars in economic activity each year.

The Port Conveyance Program authorizes the transfer of surplus federal property to non-federal public entities at no cost for use in the development or operation of a port facility. Since the program’s inception in 1994, the Port Conveyance Program has supported the transfer of nearly 2,750 acres of land to state and local governments to facilitate the expansion of the U.S. maritime transportation system.