Nothing lasts forever.
The Port of Los Angeles saw its streak of 10 consecutive months of container volume growth end in May as the effects of Trump administration tariffs hit imports and exports.
The southern California gateway processed 716,619 twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) in May, off 5% from the same month in 2024. After 10 straight months of year-over-year growth, overall cargo volume slowed due to the impact of tariffs on both imports and exports.
“May marked our lowest monthly cargo output in over two years,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said in a media briefing. “While May volume is typically stronger than April as we approach our traditional peak season, our imports dropped 19% compared to last month.
“Unless long-term, comprehensive trade agreements are reached soon, we’ll likely see higher prices and less selection during the year-end holiday season,” Seroka said. “The uncertainty created by fast-changing tariff policies has caused hardships for consumers, businesses and labor.”
The Yale Budget Lab said tariffs would raise average prices by 1.5%, a loss in purchasing power of nearly $2,500 per household per year, according to the Lab’s Director of Economic Ernie Tedeschi, on the briefing. “But that impact isn’t the same across all families or products: lower-income and working-class families see a bigger hit than higher-income families, and products more likely to be imported like shoes, apparel, and consumer electronics will see double-digit percent price increases.”
May loaded imports totaled 355,950 TEUs, a slide of 9% y/y. Loaded exports were 120,196 TEUs, down 5%. The port handled 240,472 empty container units, up 2% from a year ago.
Year to date, Los Angeles has handled 4,063,472 TEUs, a modest 4% more than the same period in 2024.
Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.
Related coverage:
Israel ports unfazed by new missile strikes
UPDATE: Return of Red Sea cargo “less likely” after attacks on Iran
Geopolitical upheaval tops new shipping concerns survey
House investigator Yi to lead Marad
Brokerage Compliance Symposium
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
F3 Awards Dinner
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now