Freight News, Sea

Los Angeles port holds steady in first quarter

[ April 14, 2026   //   Chris Lewis ]

The Port of Los Angeles handled 752,520 TEU in March, a 3% decrease compared to last year when shippers front-loaded cargo to avoid increasing tariffs. In the first quarter as a whole, the port handled 2,388,843 TEU, equal to its first-quarter average over the last five years.

March 2026 loaded imports totalled 380,733 TEU, just 1% lower than last year. Loaded exports reached 132,129 TEU, an increase of 7% over 2025 and the highest number of outbound containers moved since May of 2024.

Executive director Gene Seroka said that unsettled tariff policy and rising inflation coupled with the broad economic impacts of the conflict in the Middle East, particularly fuel prices, are weighing on consumers and companies alike.

Tags: Port of Los Angeles