Despite ongoing uncertainty in the global supply chain, U.S. maritime gateways are experiencing record container volumes. The Port of Los Angeles reported handling 924,245 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in January, marking an 8% year-over-year increase and the busiest start in the port’s 117-year history.
“This January achievement adds to a remarkable streak of strong volume, with the last seven months averaging over 927,000 container units,” stated Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, during a media briefing. He highlighted that a robust economy, coupled with importers bringing in cargo to mitigate tariffs ahead of the Lunar New Year, were significant contributors to the January surge. The port continues to handle these record volumes swiftly and efficiently, without ship delays.
In January, loaded imports totaled 483,831 TEUs, up 9.5% compared to 2024, while loaded exports were recorded at 113,271 TEUs, down 10.5% year-over-year.
Additionally, the port processed 327,143 empty containers, representing a 14% increase from 2024, which serves as a reliable indicator of upcoming inbound volume.
