ports

Port of LA Posts Second-Best April on Record as Import Surge Continues

The Port of Los Angeles handled 890,861 TEUs in April 2026, a 5.7% increase year-over-year and the second-busiest April in the facility's history. Strong import demand drove the performance despite ongoing tariff uncertainty. Loaded imports reached 459,825 TEUs, up 5% annually and 21% from March. Loaded exports totaled 127,726 TEUs while empty containers climbed to 303,310 TEUs, 10% above last year's April volume. Through the first four months of 2026, the port processed 3,279,704 TEUs, matching its five-year average but running 2% behind the prior year's pace, which benefited from significant front-loading. Port leadership cited resilient consumer demand and noted that Asian shipments of back-to-school and early holiday merchandise are building ahead of the summer season.