- Long Beach volumes fall from last year’s record pace.
- National imports show importer caution as policies shift.
- China retains lead in U.S. sourcing despite lower volumes.
The two busiest ports on the West Coast have reported some pretty stark differences in their October performance, as changing trade policies, inventory strategies, and geopolitical uncertainties continue to shape U.S. container traffic as we head into the final months of 2025. One port has managed to keep its momentum going, while the other has seen a significant drop, highlighting the varying demand trends in key import markets. National data indicate that importers are being quite cautious, with supply chain players gearing up for a challenging year-end, reports gCaptain.
Los Angeles Posts Strong Throughput Despite Volatility
The busiest U.S. West Coast gateway processed 848,431 TEUs in October, which Executive Director Gene Seroka described as “a solid performance given all the trade volatility this year.” With 8,655,489 TEUs moved so far, the port is 2% ahead of last year and nearing a milestone. Seroka noted, “With six weeks to go, we are within reach of the 10 million container unit-mark for the year… something no other Western Hemisphere port has achieved even once.”
Imports fell 7%, exports rose 1%, and empty containers declined 8%. Seroka expects softer volumes in November and December due to well-stocked inventories and fewer tariff-driven early shipments.
Long Beach Sees a Significant Drop
Nearby Long Beach processed 839,671 TEUs in October, which is a 14.9% decrease from its record numbers in 2024. Imports took a hit, falling by 17.6%, while exports dropped by 11.5%.
Despite the dip, the port’s year-to-date total of 8,229,916 TEUs remains 4.1% higher than last year. CEO Mario Cordero warned consumers about rising tariff impacts, stating, “Consumers will likely see price escalation in the coming months as shippers continue to pass along the cost of tariffs on goods and a higher percentage of these costs will be passed on to the consumer.”
National Import Levels Indicate General Caution
According to the latest report from Descartes Systems Group, U.S. container imports reached 2,306,687 TEUs in October, which is a slight dip of 0.1% from September and 7.5% lower than the levels seen in 2024. Year-to-date volumes are only up by 0.9% compared to last year.
China remained the largest import source at 34.9%, though still 16.3% below last year. Jackson Wood said, “October’s performance likely signals ongoing caution among U.S. importers facing persistent geopolitical friction and regulatory volatility.”
Supply Chain Coordination Remains Robust
Long Beach’s COO, Noel Hacegaba, highlighted the ongoing operational stability as the peak season kicks off, pointing out the strong coordination in place even as the nation faces its longest government shutdown.
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Source: gCaptain
