The Port of Long Beach reported a 3.9% year-on-year decline in cargo volumes in September, as tariffs, higher prices, and softer consumer demand weighed on trade flows.
Dockworkers and terminal operators handled 797,537 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) during the month. Imports fell 6.9% to 388,084 TEUs, while exports dropped 3.6% to 85,081 TEUs. Empty containers rose slightly to 324,372 TEUs.
“Tariffs are impacting how consumers and business owners make financial decisions and purchases,” said Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach. “Our digital cargo tracker forecasts stable volumes in October, with a slight decline in November due to weather and vessel scheduling changes.”
Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna commended the ongoing dedication of port workers and partners, emphasizing the Port’s role as a key gateway for trans-Pacific trade.
Despite the September slowdown, the Port has handled 7.39 million TEUs so far in 2025, a 6.8% increase from the same period last year, and achieved its second-busiest quarter on record with 2.64 million TEUs moved between July and September.
