July 16th, 2026 – The Port of Long Beach recorded its third-busiest June on record, handling 779,000 TEUs during the month, a 10.6% increase from June 2025 as importers continued front-loading shipments ahead of potential trade policy changes.
The strong June performance marked the port’s second consecutive month of year-over-year growth, pushing first-half throughput to more than 4.8 million TEUs—nearly 2% ahead of the record pace set during the first six months of 2025.
Imports rose 11% to more than 387,000 TEUs, while exports slipped 1% to just over 86,000 TEUs. Empty container volumes climbed 14% to nearly 306,000 TEUs as carriers repositioned equipment and cleared terminal space to accommodate additional inbound cargo.
The results underscore how supply chains have remained resilient despite continued tariff uncertainty and geopolitical instability. Rather than following a traditional late-summer peak season, retailers have increasingly shifted to year-round inventory strategies, bringing in cargo whenever trade conditions appear favorable.
Much of the recent import surge has been driven by shippers front-loading goods ahead of the July 24th expiration of temporary 10% tariffs. Fall and holiday merchandise that would normally arrive later in the year began moving through the port as early as spring, while the National Retail Federation continues to forecast record import volumes at major U.S. container ports.
Ocean carriers have responded by deploying additional vessel capacity while aggressively repositioning empty containers to keep terminals fluid and ready for continued import demand.
The port is also seeing sustained imports of AI-related infrastructure, including data center equipment and technology components, providing another source of cargo growth beyond traditional consumer goods.
Higher cargo volumes have translated into increased intermodal activity, with roughly 28% of containers now leaving Long Beach by rail. The increase has placed additional pressure on rail networks, slowing some intermodal movements, but port officials say close coordination with Class I railroads has helped avoid the severe congestion experienced during the pandemic-era supply chain crisis. Daily collaboration between terminal operators and rail providers has focused on equipment availability, train scheduling and terminal operations to keep freight moving efficiently.
While cargo demand remains strong, uncertainty continues to dominate long-term planning.
The Trump administration recently announced it will not renew the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in its current form, opening the possibility of lengthy negotiations or separate agreements with Canada and Mexico. Given that the pact governs roughly $2 trillion in annual North American trade, the outcome could significantly reshape regional supply chains.
At the same time, renewed conflict affecting the Strait of Hormuz has heightened concerns about global energy markets. Tight U.S. oil inventories leave little cushion for disruptions, increasing the risk of higher fuel prices and transportation costs that could ripple across international supply chains. As a result, many businesses continue diversifying suppliers and transportation strategies while preparing for multiple trade scenarios rather than relying on policy certainty.
Alongside strong cargo volumes, the port continued advancing several major infrastructure initiatives during the first half of 2026. California awarded Long Beach a record $383 million through its Port and Freight Infrastructure Program to modernize facilities, reduce emissions and support job growth.
The port also launched CargoNAV, a digital cargo visibility platform that provides real-time shipment information to supply chain partners and opened its Cyber Defense Operations Center (SeaDOC) in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and California emergency agencies to strengthen cybersecurity across maritime operations.
Construction continues on the Pier B on-dock rail support facility, while additional investments in zero-emission truck corridors, cleaner cargo-handling equipment and commercial methanol bunkering are intended to improve both efficiency and sustainability.
Looking ahead, the port expects cargo volumes to remain healthy through the second half of the year despite ongoing uncertainty. Environmental review is also underway for the proposed redevelopment of the Pier T Marine Terminal, a long-term project that would expand rail capacity, incorporate zero-emission technologies and help position the Port of Long Beach to double annual throughput to 20 million container units by 2050. With import demand remaining resilient and infrastructure investments continuing, the port is positioning itself to support both near-term cargo growth and long-term supply chain needs.
