Port of Long Beach Terminal Gates Closed Thursday Night, October 1: What Importers Should Know

Importers moving containers through the Port of Long Beach should plan ahead for a scheduled interruption to marine terminal gate operations on Thursday night, October 1, 2026.

PierPASS announced that all marine terminal gates at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles will stop operations from 5:00 PM Thursday, October 1, through 3:00 AM Friday, October 2, because of an ILWU special stop-work meeting.

There will be no Thursday-night OffPeak shift. For ITZON TRANSPORT customers, the important issue is the Port of Long Beach. Containers scheduled for pickup, exports scheduled for return, and empty containers that need to be returned Thursday evening may need to be planned around the closure.

When Will Port of Long Beach Terminal Gates Be Closed?

According to PierPASS, marine terminal gates will stop operations during the following period:

PierPASS advises port users to check with individual marine terminals regarding substitute or alternative gate schedules. Terminal schedules can vary, so importers and trucking companies should verify the specific terminal handling each container rather than assuming all terminals will offer the same alternative hours.

For the official PierPASS gate schedule announcement, visit pierpass.org.

Why This Matters for Port of Long Beach Container Pickups

A scheduled night-gate closure reduces the normal pickup window available for containers on October 1. For an import container pickup, several pieces still need to line up before the truck can move:

• •Container must be discharged and available
• •Customs and carrier releases must be cleared
• •A usable terminal appointment must be available when required
• •Appropriate chassis equipment must be coordinated
• •The truck must be able to complete the pickup during operating hours
• •The receiving warehouse must be available for delivery

Losing the normal Thursday-night gate can make timing more important, particularly for containers already approaching their Last Free Day.

Pay Attention to Last Free Day

Importers should not assume the scheduled stop-work meeting automatically changes a container's Last Free Day or extends free time. Last Free Day and demurrage rules depend on the applicable terminal and ocean carrier.

If a container is approaching its Last Free Day around October 1, verify the current terminal information and coordinate pickup as early as possible.

Do not assume any automatic free-time extension as a result of the scheduled closure.

Check Your Terminal's Alternative Gate Schedule

PierPASS specifically recommends checking individual marine terminals for substitute or alternative gates. Importers should verify the actual terminal handling their container before making assumptions about Thursday evening availability.

Terminal-specific schedules and appointment availability can change independently of the general PierPASS gate schedule announcement.

Verify the specific terminal handling each container and check that terminal's published schedule directly before planning Thursday evening moves.

Empty Container Returns Need Planning Too

The October 1 closure can also matter after an import container has already been delivered. Once the customer unloads the container, the empty normally must be returned according to the ocean carrier's current receiving instructions.

Empty receiving locations and operating schedules can change. Do not assume an empty container can automatically be returned to the same terminal where the loaded container was picked up.

For empties scheduled around the Thursday-night closure, dispatch should verify current receiving instructions and terminal operating hours before sending the truck.

Chassis and Delivery Scheduling

ITZON TRANSPORT maintains company-owned 20-foot, 40-foot, and 45-foot container chassis for its own trucking operations. The appropriate chassis still needs to match the individual container and operating requirements of the move.

Importers should also coordinate warehouse receiving schedules with the reduced terminal gate window.

Customers working with ITZON TRANSPORT receive shipment status and operational updates directly through dispatch.

What Port of Long Beach Importers Should Do Before October 1

Before Thursday's scheduled closure, importers and freight forwarders should review containers that may be moving around the affected period. Confirm:

• •Marine terminal
• •Container availability
• •Last Free Day
• •Pickup appointment
• •Container size
• •Chassis requirements
• •Warehouse receiving appointment
• •Empty-return instructions

If a container is time-sensitive, provide the shipment information to the drayage carrier as early as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions