A Historic Month for the Port of Los Angeles
The Port of Los Angeles recorded a new monthly milestone in September, handling 1,042,652 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). This volume marks the busiest month in the port's 118-year history.
The September throughput exceeded the previous monthly record set in July 2025 by more than 20,000 TEUs. The surge contributed to a strong quarterly performance, with the port handling nearly 3 million TEUs from July through September, representing its busiest quarter on record.
On a four-month basis, the port processed nearly 4 million TEUs from June through September, establishing its strongest stretch in that timeframe. Through the first nine months of 2026, total volume reached nearly 8.1 million TEUs, which is more than 3% ahead of the same period a year ago.
Breakdown of Imports, Exports, and Empty Containers
Loaded imports accounted for 545,696 TEUs in September, an increase of 19% compared to the previous year. Loaded exports rose 10% to 125,751 TEUs during the same period.
Empty-container volume totaled approximately 371,206 TEUs in September, marking the highest monthly total for empty units in the port's history.
Drivers of the Surge
Port Executive Director Gene Seroka attributed the cargo surge to resilient consumer demand and inventory replenishment efforts. He noted that shippers are allocating more freight to Los Angeles amid challenges along other global trade routes.
Seroka stated that tariffs had fallen from levels seen earlier in the year, providing importers with greater cost certainty. He cited continued consumer spending and logistical challenges along the Suez and Panama Canal routes as additional contributors to the record cargo run.
Political and Labor Response
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the port’s performance reinforced its role as a local and national economic engine. She praised Seroka’s leadership and members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union for their contributions to the port's operations.