The Port of Long Beach experienced a robust August, achieving its second-highest cargo volume for the month in its 114-year history. Officials announced on Monday, Sept. 15, that it was also the sixth-busiest month ever recorded at the port. This surge in activity reflects the arrival of goods ordered during a recent pause in tariffs.
The Port of Los Angeles is also expected to report strong August numbers soon. While much of the fall and holiday merchandise shipped earlier this year has already filled warehouses, ongoing tariff uncertainties have driven additional shipments.
Port of Long Beach Sees Record-Breaking Year-to-Date Growth
“Shifting trade policies continue to create uncertainty for businesses and consumers,” said Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach. “Our Supply Chain Information Highway digital tracker indicates that this year’s peak shipping season is on track to match last year’s as retailers prepare for the winter holidays.”
Through the first eight months of 2025, the Port of Long Beach handled 6,592,708 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), an 8.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Retailers and shippers have been front-loading cargo throughout the year in anticipation of potential tariff increases, boosting activity at both the Long Beach and Los Angeles ports.
Outlook for the Remainder of the Year
Despite the strong performance, port officials and the National Retail Federation (NRF) anticipate a slowdown in cargo volumes for the rest of the year. The NRF’s Global Port Tracker report, released on Sept. 9, noted that while import cargo at major U.S. container ports reached near-record levels this summer, volumes are expected to decline steadily due to rising tariffs.
“We’ve seen the implementation of higher tariffs across key trading partners, impacting a broader range of products,” said Jonathan Gold, NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy. “Retailers have stocked up as much as possible ahead of these increases, but the uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy makes long-term planning extremely challenging.”
The NRF also warned that ongoing supply chain disruptions and tariff-related costs could lead to higher prices for American consumers in the months ahead.