Los Angeles and Long Beach ports set monthly import record

what happened

The Wall Street Journal reported that the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach received 1,055,086 loaded container imports, measured in twenty-foot equivalent units, during September. The total was 24% above the figure for the same month last year and marked the busiest month ever for the neighboring ports.

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka attributed the strength to lower U.S. tariffs and firm consumer spending. He also said low water levels at the Panama Canal and continuing security concerns around the Suez Canal were encouraging shippers to send more cargo through U.S. West Coast ports when possible.

Seroka said meetings with shippers and carriers in Asia and Australia had left him expecting demand to remain strong. “Importers are making decisions quickly based on tariffs, cost, and demand. For now, purchase orders back in Asia remain solid,” he said. The report is part of a Wall Street Journal live coverage event, with the full stream available by searching P/WSJL (WSJ Live Coverage).

why it matters

The record monthly volume highlights strong import activity through major U.S. gateways. Rerouting linked to conditions at the Panama and Suez canals may also support demand for West Coast shipping capacity.

instruments