The Port of Los Angeles has entered into a landmark Memorandum of Agreement with the City of Shafter and The Wonderful Company, aimed at strengthening two-way trade flows between the San Pedro Bay port complex and California’s Central Valley.
The partnership seeks to expand US agricultural and manufactured exports by leveraging the region’s strategic logistics capacity.
At the heart of the initiative lies the Wonderful Logistics Center, a 3,400-acre master-planned hub in Shafter, situated along the BNSF rail mainline.
Already serving major corporations like Amazon, Walmart, and Target, the center is poised to become a critical link for containerized exports from the San Joaquin Valley to global markets.
Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, highlighted that this agreement represents a commitment to support faster and more efficient service to and from the Central Valley.
Key objectives of the agreement will include: The strengthen of the two-way trade connectivity between Shafter and the Port of Los Angeles, enhancing exporter access to international markets, increasing cargo velocity and reduce truck dependency, promoting sustainable logistics solutions and supporting workforce development through training initiatives.
A cornerstone of the plan is the construction of a dedicated international rail terminal at the Wonderful Logistics Center, set to open in 2026.
This terminal will feature a shuttle train connecting directly to the Port of Los Angeles, significantly reducing emissions, cutting transit time, and alleviating road congestion.
