The Port of Los Angeles reported a solid first quarter, processing a total of 2,504,049 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), marking a 5.2% increase over the same period last year. In March alone, the port moved 778,406 TEUs, a 4.7% rise year-on-year.
Anticipated Slowdown in the Second Half of 2025
Despite the positive first quarter, Seroka warned of a possible cargo volume slowdown in the second half of the year, predicting a 10% decline compared to 2024.
“Many importers have already front-loaded their shipments in anticipation of rising costs due to tariffs,” Seroka noted. “As consumer prices increase, we expect purchasing behavior to adjust, potentially softening demand.”
March 2025 Container Data
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Loaded Imports: 385,531 TEUs (+1.6% YoY)
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Loaded Exports: 122,975 TEUs (-15% YoY)
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Empty Containers: 269,900 TEUs (+23% YoY)
The significant rise in empty containers reflects ongoing imbalances in global trade patterns, as exports continue to lag behind imports.
Wider Trade Issues in Focus
Joe Kramek, President and CEO of the World Shipping Council, also addressed the media alongside Seroka, speaking on key industry concerns such as:
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Proposed tariffs on China-built container ships
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Efforts toward supply chain decarbonization
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The potential implications of geopolitical tensions on global trade
With strong momentum early in the year but looming challenges on the horizon, the Port of Los Angeles remains a key barometer of global trade dynamics in 2025.
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Source: The Port of Los Angeles
