The Port of Los Angeles processed 1,042,652 TEU in September, the highest single-month volume in its history, according to port executive director Gene Seroka. The figure topped the previous record set in July 2025 by about 23,000 TEU and marked the highest volume ever handled by any port in the Western Hemisphere.
What Happened
September was the port's fourth consecutive month of historic volumes. Loaded imports reached 540,000 TEU, the best inbound tally ever recorded. It was also the 10th time the port moved more than half a million loaded imports in a single month, a feat no other U.S. port has achieved.
Seroka attributed the strong volume to major retailers frontloading ahead of tariffs. However, outbound volumes remained softer than normal, reflecting ongoing challenges for American farmers and manufacturers.
Empty container handling hit 371,000 TEU, the highest monthly total in port history. Empty container volumes are often viewed as a leading indicator of future Asian import demand.
The strong results buck the import slowdown trend reported by Global Port Tracker, the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. Seroka said importers are making rapid decisions based on tariffs, costs and demand, with purchase orders in Asia still solid, though November and December are hard to predict.
Background
China accounts for about 40% of total cargo volume at the Port of Los Angeles and 60% at the Port of Long Beach. The U.S.-China trade war has pushed China to diversify manufacturing across Southeast Asia, with both ports citing Vietnam as an example. Both port heads expect another frontloading wave before the U.S.-China trade truce expires on January 10.
Seroka noted that China's share of the port's business has dropped from 60% to 40%, but overall volumes continue to grow as Southeast Asian sourcing takes effect. He plans to visit Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shanghai over the next 10 days to assess purchase order trends, including cancellations and order stability over 90 to 120 days.
The upcoming El Nino season is also expected to divert more containers to Los Angeles as ocean carriers avoid the Panama Canal. During the last historic El Nino in 2024, the port moved 10.3 million TEU, its second-best year in 117 years. Seroka expects around a 5% uptick in cargo moving to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Impact on Shippers
On transit times, if El Nino restricts Panama Canal transits, more Asia-U.S. East Coast cargo could shift to the West Coast, potentially lengthening berthing and container pickup times at Los Angeles and Long Beach and increasing last-mile trucking pressure. Shippers should build in more buffer time for West Coast gateways.
On costs, California diesel prices stood at $8.36 per gallon as of October 9, 2026, the highest in the nation. Seroka noted diesel prices are up 36% since late February, and two-thirds of containers leaving the port move by diesel truck. Higher trucking rates will directly raise last-mile costs for ocean-truck and ocean-parcel services, with small fleets least able to absorb the shock.
On customs clearance, the frontloading wave means concentrated arrivals, and customs inspections and releases may queue. With the U.S.-China trade truce nearing expiry, tariff policy remains uncertain, and shippers need to closely monitor policy windows and plan shipments and clearance accordingly.
Recommendations
Shippers should confirm container pickup and delivery times at West Coast gateways with their freight forwarders, and consider diverting time-sensitive cargo to alternative West Coast gateways or adjusting shipping windows. They should also verify tariff classifications and effective dates to avoid extra costs from policy shifts. For cargo relying on West Coast truck delivery, book capacity early and budget for higher diesel surcharges. For specific tariff policies, refer to the latest official announcements.