Ports

Port of Los Angeles Caps Record Summer Quarter as Holiday Cargo Floods Docks

The Port of Los Angeles handled 955,907 container units in August, capping its strongest three-month period on record. From June through August, 2.9 million TEUs moved across the docks. August throughput ran 6% above the port's five-year average and held steady with year-ago levels despite headwinds in export activity. Loaded imports reached 500,302 TEUs, flat year-over-year but 7% above the five-year August benchmark. Loaded exports declined 9% to 115,561 TEUs, while empty containers climbed 4%. Through eight months of 2026, the port processed just over 7 million TEUs, up 1.5% annually and 5% ahead of its five-year pace. Port leadership attributes the surge to resilient consumer demand and early holiday inventory positioning. Retail executives remain bullish on the coming holiday season despite elevated fuel costs and tariff pressures, with merchandise already positioned domestically for replenishment.