Abstract

Combined loaded imports at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach totaled 868,221 TEUs in May, up 32.5% year-over-year, supported in part by comparisons to weaker volumes a year ago. Year-to-date, combined imports reached 4.1 million TEUs, up 2.2% YOY, with Los Angeles imports increasing 3.3% and Long Beach imports rising 1.1%.

Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach

PORT OF LOS ANGELES

• The Port of Los Angeles processed 840,165 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in May, 17.2% above last year as import volume increased amid continued uncertainty surrounding trade policy and global supply chains. Through the first five months of 2026, the Port has handled 4.1M TEUs, up 1.4% year-over-year (YOY).

• May 2026 loaded imports totaled 449,370 TEUs, up 26.2% YOY. The comparison was aided by softer import volume in May 2025, when many cargo owners temporarily paused shipments amid changing tariff policies. Through May, imports are up 3.3% YOY.

PORT OF LONG BEACH

• After a strong April showing, the Port of Long Beach moved 842,031 TEUs in May, up 31.7% YOY, making it the Port’s third-busiest May on record. Year-to-date, the Port has moved 4.1M TEUs, up 0.2% compared to the first five months of 2025, on pace with the Port’s busiest year on record.

• Import volume increased 7.4% from April to 418,851 TEUs. May’s imports rose a whopping 40.0% YOY, breaking nine consecutive months of YOY decline. For the first five months of the year, the import total of 1.96M TEUs is up 1.1% YOY.

The San Pedro Bay Ports saw strong import activity in May, with the Ports handling a combined 868,221 of loaded import TEUs, up 32.5% YOY. The significant YOY increase was driven in part by comparisons to weaker import volumes in May 2025, when many cargo owners paused shipments amid tariff-related uncertainty. Through the first five months of 2026, combined imports reached 4.1M TEUs, up 2.2% YOY.

According to the Global Port Tracker from the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates, U.S.-bound import volumes are expected to rise in June as retailers pull forward shipments ahead of potential tariff and fuel-cost increases, but imports are projected to decline from July through September before returning to flat growth in October. Forecasts call for annual growth in June (+14.3%), followed by declines in July (-8.4%), August (-8.6%) and September (-2.2%). Retailers are accelerating peak-season imports to mitigate rising shipping costs and tariff uncertainty, although inflation and weakening consumer confidence are expected to weigh on import demand later this year.

Provided statistical breakdowns include monthly and annual container counts measured in Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), a standardized maritime industry measurement used when counting cargo containers of varying lengths. Source: The Port of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

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