The Port of Long Beach experienced a decline in cargo volumes in September due to shifting trade policies and increased tariffs, which have negatively affected consumer demand and changed shipping routes across the trans-Pacific lanes. Last month, the port handled 797,537 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a drop of 3.9% from the previous year. Notably, imports fell by 6.9% to 388,084 TEUs, and exports decreased by 3.6% to 85,081 TEUs. Similarly, the Port of Los Angeles reported a 7.5% decline, processing 883,053 TEUs in September.
Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach, noted that tariffs are influencing the financial decisions of consumers and businesses. He anticipates a stable October followed by a slight decrease in November, attributed to potential weather delays and changes in vessel schedules. Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, highlighted the volatility in the maritime sector, stating that recent policy changes have led to erratic order patterns from importers.
Despite the September downturn, both ports achieved strong third-quarter results. Long Beach reported moving 2,643,614 TEUs from July to September, marking its second-busiest quarter on record. In contrast, Los Angeles reached an all-time high with 2.9 million TEUs during the same period. Increased cargo volumes in 2025 reflect a broader trend, as the National Retail Federation anticipates a continued decline below the 2 million TEU mark through the year.
Experts warn of ongoing uncertainty in trade policies, predicting shifts in trade volumes over the next few months. Many companies rushed to build inventories ahead of tariff implementations, but as supplies dwindle, the impact of these tariffs may become more evident. Projections for early 2026 suggest a substantial drop in cargo volumes, indicating the challenges facing the maritime industry.
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