L.A. Port traffic up 17% in May amid continued trade unrest
California Governor’s Office
The Port of Los Angeles
Processing Content
The port processed 840,165 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in May compared to 716,618 a year ago, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka told reporters at a media briefing.
Through the first five months of 2026, the port has handled 4,119,869 TEUs, 1.4% ahead of the pace set during the same period last year.
“Our strong May performance reflects the resilience of the American consumer and the ability of businesses to adapt in a continuously changing environment,” Seroka said.
He attributed the strong numbers to “inventory replenishment, concerns about fuel costs, trade-policy uncertainty and preparation for upcoming retail seasons.”
Companies are operating with shorter planning horizons and taking advantage of opportunities when they emerge, he said, adding that cargo continues to move efficiently through the port, with no vessel backlogs or cargo delays.
Joining Seroka for the briefing was Dan Letter, chief executive officer of Prologis. Letter discussed inventory trends, logistics real estate, supply chain investment and the outlook for goods movement as companies navigate ongoing economic and trade-policy uncertainty.
May 2026 loaded imports totaled 449,370 TEUs, a 26% increase compared to last year. The comparison was aided by softer import volume in May 2025, Seroka said, when many cargo owners temporarily paused shipments amid changing tariff policies.
Loaded exports came in at 107,657 TEUs, 10% lower than last year. Empty containers totaled 283,138 TEUs, 18% above May 2025, according to port data.
The Los Angeles port has been ranked the No. 1 container port in the U.S. for 26 consecutive years, according to port data.
In 2025, the port generated $301 billion in trade and handled a total of 10.2 million container units, sustaining its top rank among U.S. ports.
