No one succeeds in intermodal alone. That's one of the lessons 2026 Silver Kingpin Award recipient @Sam Niness shares in a special Freight Table conversation.

From his early days experimenting with intermodal service to helping shape innovations like EMP and Modal-X, Sam reflects on a career defined by change, collaboration and a willingness to keep trying — even when an idea didn't work the first time.

He also shares a leadership principle that has stayed with him: empathy matters. In an industry built on partnerships, understanding how decisions affect others is essential to moving everyone forward.

The Port of Long Beach set out to double its cargo volume and achieve 100% zero emissions by 2050—ambitious goals for one of the world's busiest ports. In this episode, Dr. Noel Hacegaba, CEO of the Port of Long Beach, shares the innovative roadmap powering their transformation and why the port was honored with the first-ever Intermodal Innovation Award.

Most ports face mounting challenges: supply chain disruption, climate pressures, aging infrastructure, and real estate constraints. The team at Long Beach is tackling them head-on—with coordinated investments in rail, green technology, and new energy sources, all while keeping the global supply chain moving reliably and efficiently.

You'll hear:

- How the port increased cargo volumes by 44% over 20 years while cutting emissions by up to 98%

- Why efficiency and sustainability are inseparable in modern freight

- The strategic shift toward rail—and how cutting vessel-to-train times from days to hours is a game-changer

- How changing cargo sourcing from China to Southeast Asia is shaping port operations

- How Long Beach is laying the groundwork for next-gen energy infrastructure, from offshore wind to new nuclear technology

- What global partners, labor, and supply chain stakeholders think of Long Beach's bold approach

For a behind-the-scenes look at how North America's ports are shaping the future of intermodal freight—not just for cargo, but for the climate and tomorrow's workforce—this episode unpacks the big picture.

In this episode of The Freight Table, IANA's President and CEO Anne Reinke and Board Chair Chris Brach discuss the state of intermodal, the role of IMCs, and how the association can help the industry navigate a fast-moving set of opportunities and challenges.