 | |
| Industry | Container terminal, freight transport |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1971 |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Website | itslb |
International Transportation Service, LLC (ITS) is an American Marine container terminal company that deals with the receipt and shipment of containerized cargo in domestic and foreign trade. [1] It also focuses on marine cargo handling, vessel stevedoring, on-dock rail, and staffing services.
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Founded in 1971, International Transportation Service (ITS) began operations on Terminal Island while its permanent home on Pier J was under construction. During this early phase, vessels were serviced using ship-mounted cranes. In the spring of 1972, ITS officially moved into its newly completed 48-acre, state-of-the-art terminal on Pier J, marking the start of a long-standing partnership with the Port of Long Beach. From the outset, ITS established itself as a key contributor to the local business community and a recognized leader in the maritime industry.
A major industry milestone was achieved in 1986, when ITS became the first terminal in Southern California to operate on-dock double-stack rail. This pioneering move demonstrated foresight into the future of intermodal efficiency and set a new standard for terminal operations.
The 1990s brought rapid change across the container shipping industry. ITS responded by expanding gate complexes, upgrading terminal operating systems, and increasing on-dock rail capacity to accommodate larger vessels and growing cargo volumes. These efforts supported sustained growth and operational resilience.
ITS’s commitment to excellence was widely recognized. In 1991, the company received the International Achievement Award from the IBA/Long Beach Chamber of Commerce. By 1994, ITS celebrated handling three million containers, and in 1994–1995 was awarded both the PMA Area Safety Award and the Coast Accident Prevention Award for a Class A container stevedore company.
Preparing for the next generation of container shipping, 2004 marked a transformational period. ITS expanded onto Pier G and acquired more than 100 additional acres, constructed new vessel berths, expanded on-dock rail capacity, developed advanced computer systems, and invested in environmentally friendly cargo-handling equipment—positioning the terminal to evolve into a true mega terminal.
Reinforcing its environmental leadership, ITS signed the Port of Long Beach’s first “Green Lease” in 2006, formalizing a long-term commitment to sustainability, customers, and the surrounding community.
In 2008, ITS again made history as the first terminal at the Port of Long Beach to install shore-side electrical power (cold ironing), significantly reducing vessel emissions at berth. This commitment continued in 2011 with the construction of three LEED Gold-certified facilities: Maintenance & Repair, Administration, and Marine Operations.
A major infrastructure milestone was achieved in 2014 with the completion of the North Slip Fill Project, which added 11 acres of new terminal land and expanded yard capacity. This brought ITS’s total footprint to 256 acres, enhancing operational flexibility and throughput.
Between 2015 and 2016, ITS further advanced its environmental strategy by commissioning 26 low-emission UTRs and seven hybrid RTGs, reducing fuel consumption and emissions while maintaining high operational performance.
On April 30, 2020, ITS welcomed the largest vessel ever to call the terminal, the ONE Aquila. This milestone reflected years of planning and investment, including development of Berth G232, crane raises, outreach extensions, and modernization of container-handling equipment to support up to 14,000-TEU vessels.
In 2023, ITS completed a major berth expansion (Berth 236), increasing berth length and upgrading waterside infrastructure to support larger vessels, improving scheduling flexibility, and reducing vessel turnaround times—further strengthening ITS’s competitive position at the Port of Long Beach.
Most recently, in 2025, ITS launched the South Slip Fill Project, adding 19 acres of new terminal land. Upon completion, this expansion will bring the total terminal footprint to 275 acres, supporting future growth and reinforcing ITS’s long-term commitment to large ship capacity, efficiency, and sustainable operations.
ITS clients have included COSCO Container Lines, Hamburg Süd, Hanjin Shipping, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd., Maersk Line, U.S. Lines and Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation. [2]