The twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach had a record-breaking July for cargo movement, processing nearly 1.89 million TEUs. This marked the second busiest July for each port, overshadowed only by last year’s statistics. This surge in volume is likely due to retailers prepping for fall and winter merchandise amidst shifting consumer demand and trade uncertainties influenced by tariffs.
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Port Performance:
- Port of L.A.: Handled 499,552 TEUs of loaded imports, down from last year’s record but 7.5% above the five-year average.
- Port of Long Beach: Managed 467,461 TEUs of loaded imports, matching last year’s figures.
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Exports:
- Port of L.A.: 111,776 TEUs (down 8%).
- Port of Long Beach: 104,843 TEUs (up 14.8%).
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Tariff Effects: The approaching expiration of a temporary federal tariff program on July 24 prompted import surges as businesses feared potential price increases due to renewed tariffs.
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Dwell Times: Average truck dwell time rose slightly to 3.03 days, while rail dwell times increased to 6.34 days, marking the year’s highs but still manageable.
Leadership from both ports emphasizes resilience and adaptability in the supply chain amid changing trade dynamics.
