The Port of Long Beach moved 997,177 twenty-foot-equivalent units in September, its busiest month in 115 years and a 25% increase from September 2025. Port officials said the record was achieved without congestion.
What Happened
The September total surpassed the port's previous monthly record of 987,191 TEUs set in October 2024. Loaded imports rose 31.3% year over year to 509,390 TEUs, while exports increased 7.8% to 91,747 TEUs. Empty container moves climbed 22.1% to 396,040 TEUs.
Through the first nine months of 2026, the port handled 7,675,255 TEUs, up 3.9% from the same period in 2025. Port Chief Executive Noel Hacegaba said shippers increasingly relied on Long Beach as they adjusted to high diesel costs, Panama Canal access restrictions and the prospect of a new U.S.-China trade agreement.
Hacegaba also highlighted Total Terminals International, which set a Port of Long Beach monthly rail record in September by handling 59,410 moves, nearly half of the terminal's total container volume.
Background
The record comes amid a mix of factors. High diesel prices have raised trucking costs, prompting shippers to favor ports with denser rail connections. Panama Canal restrictions have diverted some all-water cargo to West Coast ports. Expectations of a potential new U.S.-China trade deal have also encouraged some shippers to move cargo earlier.
Meanwhile, Caltrans plans a 16-month deck-replacement project on the Vincent Thomas Bridge starting Nov. 7. In response, the Port of Long Beach announced an incentive program.
Impact on Shippers
For Chinese exporters to the U.S., the record volume without congestion suggests relatively stable discharge and pickup times on the West Coast in the near term. However, loaded imports jumped over 30%, indicating concentrated arrivals, and terminal appointments and trucking could face periodic tightness during peak season.
On cost, high diesel prices directly raise trucking rates from West Coast ports to inland points, potentially increasing last-mile costs for ocean-truck or carded delivery. Customs clearance has not shown anomalies, but concentrated volumes may lengthen inspection queues, so buffer time is advisable.
Recommendations
Shippers should monitor gate schedules during the Vincent Thomas Bridge project. Starting in late October, Long Beach container terminals will offer additional evening and Saturday gates for six weeks (excluding Thanksgiving week), giving truckers more flexibility to avoid peak hours. For cargo arriving in November and December, confirm pickup and delivery timing with freight forwarders in advance and allow extra time for potential land-side delays from bridge construction. Consider diverting some cargo to East or Gulf Coast ports to spread the risk of concentrated arrivals at a single port.