The Port of Los Angeles recently reported unprecedented container handling numbers, setting a record for the third quarter that surpassed even pre-pandemic levels. On October 18, Executive Director Gene Seroka stated, “In September, we achieved a historic milestone by processing 955,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). What’s even more impressive is that our performance in Q3 is the best we’ve seen in our 116-year history.”

Together, the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach account for approximately one-third of all container imports into the United States. Last quarter, the container handling volumes reached peaks not seen so far this year, surpassing the previous record set in Q2 of 2021, which was marked by a surge in consumer demand and supply chain disruptions that left containers piled high and ships waiting in long queues to unload.

Unlike previous years, the number of vessels docking at San Pedro Bay from July to September hit an all-time high, but cargo handling operations did not face delays. In total, over 2.8 million containers were processed during these three months.

In September alone, the Port of Los Angeles handled an import volume equivalent to 497,803 TEUs, alongside 114,702 export containers and 342,201 empty containers.

The neighboring Port of Long Beach also experienced its busiest quarter ever, processing a total of 2.6 million TEUs. In September, it managed 416,999 TEUs of imports and 88,289 TEUs of exports, along with 324,211 empty containers.

Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero remarked, “As we enter the peak shipping season, we are seeing record-breaking volumes move through this vital trans-Pacific corridor, and our terminals have more than enough capacity to handle it.”

Seroka anticipates a slight slowdown in container transportation volumes as we approach the end of the year, but the levels are expected to remain above what is typically seen after peak seasons. This is partly due to the Lunar New Year arriving earlier in 2025, prompting importers to rush in goods before the holiday. Retailers are also concerned about potential new tariffs next year, leading to an increase in cargo volumes ahead of the November presidential election.

He explained, “Traditionally, this is a slow season, yet we’re not seeing any significant decrease in cargo volumes. If some importers are anticipating new tariffs similarly to how they did in 2019, they may choose to bring their shipments in early to avoid those additional costs.”

Many companies are proactively importing spring merchandise to mitigate the risk of labor disputes that could arise before the January 15 deadline, potentially leading to work stoppages similar to the recent ones that crippled East Coast and Gulf Coast ports at the beginning of the month.

That strike concluded after dockworkers secured a 61.5% wage increase, but discussions around port automation remain unresolved.