Consumer goods brought in earlier than usual to avoid new tariffs powered new year container volume to record highs at the Port of Long Beach.
The second-busiest U.S. container gateway and neighbor to the top-ranked Port of Los Angeles in Southern California’s San Pedro Bay complex, in a release said it had moved 952,733 twenty-foot equivalent units in January, up 41.4% from the same month the previous year and surpassing the old record set in January 2022, by 18.9%.
Imports soared 45% to 471,649 TEUs — the second-busiest month ever — as retailers frontloaded shipments ahead of planned tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada.
Exports increased 14% to 98,655 TEUs. Empty containers, an indicator of future inbound traffic, surged 45.9% to 382,430 TEUs.
“It’s encouraging to start off the year so strongly,” said Port of Long Beach Chief Executive Mario Cordero, in the release. “We will continue to focus on enhancing both our competitiveness and sustainability, no matter the uncertainties in the supply chain.”
January marked the eighth consecutive monthly year-over-year cargo increase and follows a record 9,649,724 TEUs moved in 2024.
Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.
Related coverage:
No sure thing? ILA head tells rank and file contract vote an ‘obstacle’ to overcome
While supply chain frets, Port of Los Angeles sees record January volume
Federal Maritime Commission dropping DEI from strategic plan
Freight Fraud Symposium
Double brokering. AI deepfakes. Identity theft. Freight fraud is an existential threat to the industry. Get ahead of it.
Supply Chain AI Symposium
Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.
Future of Rail Symposium
Reshoring is rewriting freight demand. Join shippers, rail executives, and government officials to shape the next decade.
Double brokering. AI deepfakes. Identity theft. Freight fraud is an existential threat to the industry. Get ahead of it.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame • Cleveland, OH Register NowPast the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.
The Old Post Office • Chicago, IL Register NowReshoring is rewriting freight demand. Join shippers, rail executives, and government officials to shape the next decade.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now