While supply chain frets, Port of Los Angeles sees record January volume

LOS ANGELES : Uncertainty may be sweeping the global supply chain, but it continues to power record container volumes for U.S. maritime gateways.

The Port of Los Angeles reported volume of 924,245 twenty-foot equivalent units in January, up 8% y/y in what was the busiest start in the hub’s 117-year history.

“This January milestone adds to a great run of strong volume, with the last seven months averaging more than 927,000 container units,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka in a media briefing. “A strong economy, along with importers bringing in cargo as a hedge against tariffs and ahead of Lunar New Year, were key factors in January. We continue to move these record-breaking volumes quickly and efficiently, without ship delays.”

January loaded imports totaled 483,831 TEUs, a 9.5% increase compared to 2024. Loaded exports came in at 113,271 TEUs, off 10.5% y/y. The port processed 327,143 empty containers, 14% ahead of 2024 and a reliable indicator of pending inbound volume.