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The Port of Los Angeles has handled 2% more TEUs — 8,655,489 — during the first 10 months compared with 2024. (halbergman/Getty Images)

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U.S. port container volumes have started to lose steam in October amid what has been an overall strong year.

The Port of Los Angeles reported a 6.3% decrease from the previous year to 848,424 20-foot-equivalent units from 905,025. Volume also declined sequentially3.9% from 883,053 units in September. The port has handled 2% more TEUs (8,655,489) during the first 10 months when compared with 2024.

“With six weeks to go, we are within reach of the 10 million-container unit-mark for the year,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said at a media briefing. “If we reach that milestone, it would be the third time in our history and something no other Western Hemisphere port has achieved even once.

"That kind of performance is powered by the skill and dedication of our waterfront workforce along with the terminal operators.”

Seroka expects cargo to soften during the final two months compared with year-ago levels. He noted that last year shippers already were bringing in cargo ahead of schedule as a hedge against expected tariffs. But now retail and manufacturing inventories are well-stocked, so there’s less need for replenishment.

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach reported that container volumes dropped 14.9% to 839,671 units from 987,191 in 2024. But that year-ago period also was the single-busiest month in the history of the port. Long Beach is moving cargo ahead of last year’s record-setting pace with retailers ordering shipments ahead of tariffs.

“The consumer has not seen significant tariff impacts given that manufacturers, retailers and others have shared in incurring some of these costs and mitigating price escalation to the consumer, but that may change as we approach 2026,” CEO Mario Cordero said during a news conference. “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.”

Port of Oakland

The port reported volumes declined 5.5% to 182,879 containers from 192,963.

This was mainly due to the facility moving far fewer empty containers but more so reflected changes in how shipping lines are managing their equipment, port officials stated, not a slowdown in cargo demand. The results also were up 2.2% from the previous month. This sequential gain reflected steady, full-container activity as global shipping continues to rebalance.

“Full imports and exports are holding their ground despite the headwinds,” Maritime Director Bryan Brandes said. “The modest month-over-month increase shows cargo flow through Oakland remains steady heading into the holiday season. While we’re seeing fewer empty containers move through the system, that’s just part of the broader market adjustment.”

Northwest Seaport Alliance

The Northwest Seaport Alliance noted that combined volumes between the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., decreased 14.4% to 233,927 units from 273,355. This also marked a 19.1% decline from the prior month. The port noted that tariffs continue to weigh on container volumes, with the negative year over year comparisons also reflecting the strong volumes that occurred during the prior year period due to a labor dispute in Canada.

Port Houston

Port Houston reported that volumes increased 18% to 365,773 containers from 309,623 year over year but slipped 8% sequentially from 337,659 in September. Year to date, volume has increased 6% to 3,636,368 units from 3,430,212.

“That puts us firmly on track for our strongest container performance in history,” CEO Charlie Jenkins said. “Nearly all commodities handled at Port Houston’s terminals saw gains [in October] and we are in a great position as we near the end of the year, which is a remarkable accomplishment given the uncertainty in our industry throughout much of the year.”��

Port of Savannah

The Port of Savannah posted an 8.4% volume decrease to 452,934 TEUs, and officials reported that the Blue Ridge Connector inland rail facility is expected to open in the spring. The complex is being built to better connect the port to the manufacturing and logistic corridor in northeast Georgia.

“We’ve been impacted by the trade downturn, so we look forward to seeing more trade deals come together, and we’re hopeful the market bounces back in the new year,” President Griff Lynch said.

Others

The South Carolina Ports Authority and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey did not have monthly numbers available.

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