The Port of Los Angeles recorded its best three-month cargo period ever in August, showing that the Southern California container hub is keeping a strong pace as fall approaches.
In August, Los Angeles managed 955,907 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), bringing the total volume for June, July, and August to over 2.9 million TEUs — marking the busiest three months in the port's history.
This news comes on the heels of reports that the nearby Port of Long Beach also had its busiest August ever, with the two ports collectively handling nearly 1.88 million TEUs that month.
August's volume for Los Angeles was roughly the same as last year, but it exceeded the port's five-year average for the month by 6%.
“We’ve had a remarkably strong summer in Los Angeles,” said Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles. “Strong consumer demand, early holiday shipments, and a diverse range of cargo have all played a part in this success.”
Loaded imports reached 500,302 TEUs in August, nearly on par with last year and 7% higher than the five-year average for that month. Conversely, loaded exports dropped by 9% year-on-year to 115,561 TEUs, while empty container movements increased by 4% to 340,044 TEUs.
In the first eight months of 2026, Los Angeles handled just over 7 million TEUs, representing a 1.5% growth compared to the same timeframe last year and 5% above its five-year pace.
This strong performance aligns with a broader rise in U.S. imports that has exceeded expectations.
The latest Global Port Tracker report from the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates forecasts that September will be the busiest month for imports this year at major U.S. container ports, with volumes expected to reach 2.31 million TEUs, a 9.6% increase compared to the previous year.
This marks a significant change from earlier predictions that retailers had accelerated their shipments in the spring and early summer ahead of tariff changes and supply chain uncertainties, thus pulling forward much of the traditional peak season.
Instead, imports have stayed high. Seroka noted that September seems to be shaping up as another strong month for Los Angeles.
“We have good momentum as we move towards the end of the year,” he stated. “September looks promising, and Los Angeles is well-equipped to adapt to changing global trade patterns.”
During a recent media briefing, Seroka mentioned that current trans-Pacific freight rates are more favorable for West Coast routes than for those to the East Coast, and the speed of cargo movement through Los Angeles to rail can enhance the economic appeal for importers serving inland markets.
Retailers remain optimistic as they approach the holiday season, despite facing higher fuel costs, tariffs, and other economic challenges.
Brian Dodge, president and CEO of the Retail Industry Leaders Association, remarked that most of the merchandise for the season is already in the U.S. as retailers moved goods earlier this year, but additional shipments are still anticipated as stocks are replenished.
“Consumers have shown remarkable resilience over the last few years amid various disruptions, and that trend appears to continue as we head into the holiday shopping season,” Dodge noted.
Global Port Tracker is still predicting that import volumes will taper off later this fall, with October expected to see 2.11 million TEUs and November around 2 million TEUs.
For the time being, however, the latest figures from Los Angeles and Long Beach indicate a stronger summer ending than many had anticipated.