Posted on September 17, 2025
The Port of Long Beach has reported its second-busiest August on record, marking the sixth-busiest month in its 114-year history. This strong performance comes as retailers rush to stock up on goods during the peak shipping season, supported by a recent pause in tariffs that has boosted cargo flows.
Cargo performance in August 2025
Dockworkers and terminal operators handled 901,846 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in August, a marginal decline of just 1.3% compared to the record set in August 2024.
- Imports: 440,318 TEUs, down 3.6% year-on-year
- Exports: 95,960 TEUs, down 8.3%
- Empty containers: 365,567 TEUs, up 3.7%
Despite softer import and export numbers, the rise in empty container repositioning kept overall cargo volumes near record levels.
From January to August 2025, the Port has already processed 6,592,708 TEUs, representing an 8.3% increase compared to the same period last year.
Leadership perspectives
Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero highlighted the challenges created by shifting trade policies “Shifting trade policies continue to create uncertainty for businesses and consumers. Our Supply Chain Information Highway digital tracker is projecting our peak shipping season to be on pace with last year as retailers start to stock their warehouses in preparation for the winter holidays.”
Long Beach Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna also praised the dedication of the workforce “I commend our dockworkers for their continued hard work to keep goods moving through the Port during the peak shipping season. Our reputation as a primary gateway for trans-Pacific trade relies on our ability to safely ensure the secure and speedy shipment of goods.”
A gateway with global impact
The Port of Long Beach remains a vital link in global trade. As the premier U.S. gateway for trans-Pacific commerce, it handles over $300 billion in trade annually and supports 2.7 million jobs across the United States, including 691,000 in Southern California.
Beyond commerce, the Port also plays a strategic role as one of 18 designated commercial strategic seaports supporting U.S. national defense operations.
Sustainability and recognition
In 2025, the Port is celebrating 20 years of its landmark Green Port Policy, a framework that has significantly reduced the environmental footprint of port operations. These efforts have not gone unnoticed:
- Named “The Best West Coast Seaport in North America” for the seventh consecutive year
- Awarded “The Best Green Seaport” in 2025
Looking forward, the Port is preparing to invest $3.2 billion over the next decade in capital improvements aimed at boosting capacity, competitiveness, and sustainability.
Conclusion
The Port of Long Beach’s second-busiest August underscores its continued resilience and importance in the global supply chain, even amidst trade uncertainties.
With peak season now underway, all eyes will be on how the Port manages demand heading into the critical holiday period while advancing its long-term goals of growth and green leadership.
For complete cargo statistics, visit the Port’s official page: polb.com/statistics.
