Port of Los Angeles sets record for three-month cargo volume

The Port of Los Angeles has achieved its busiest three-month cargo stretch in history, processing more than 2.9 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) during the summer months of June, July, and August.

In August alone, the port handled 955,907 TEUs, a figure 6% above the five-year monthly average. Port Executive Director Gene Seroka attributed the strength to resilient consumer demand, early holiday shipments, and a diverse cargo mix. He noted that trans-Pacific freight rates currently favor West Coast routings, making the speed of moving cargo from the port to rail an attractive economic factor for importers.

Retailers have contributed to this surge by moving goods earlier in the year to mitigate uncertainties regarding fuel prices, tariffs, and potential supply chain disruptions. Brian Dodge, CEO of the Retail Industry Leaders Association, expressed optimism for the upcoming holiday season, noting that much of the holiday merchandise is already present in the United States.