Port of LA Sets June Record Amid Early Holiday Shipments

The Port of Los Angeles processed 892,340 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in June, achieving an 8% rise over the same month in 2024 and setting a new benchmark as the busiest June in the port’s 117-year history.

“Some importers are bringing in year-end holiday cargo now ahead of potential higher tariffs later in the year,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “July may be our peak season month as retailers and manufacturers bring orders in earlier than usual, then brace for trade uncertainty.”

The port concluded its fiscal year on June 30 by moving 10.5 million TEUs without any vessel delays. This marks only the third time the port has surpassed the 10 million TEU milestone in a fiscal year, reinforcing its title as the busiest container port in the Western Hemisphere.

In June, the port handled 470,450 TEUs of loaded imports—a 10% increase year-over-year. Loaded exports totaled 126,144 TEUs, up 3%, while the number of empty containers moved reached 295,746, a 7% rise over last year.

For the first six months of 2025, the Port of Los Angeles has handled a total of 4,955,812 TEUs, reflecting a 5% gain compared to the same period in 2024.

These gains come amid global economic uncertainty. The latest Global Port Tracker report from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates suggests a temporary surge in volumes this July, followed by anticipated declines linked to the implementation of postponed tariffs.

The Trump Administration has fueled further uncertainty with its shifting trade policy. President Trump recently postponed the implementation of “reciprocal” tariffs until August 1 but has warned of a possible 30% duty on most imports from the European Union and Mexico starting on the same date.

“The tariff situation remains highly fluid and retailers are working hard to stock up for the holiday season before the various tariffs that have been announced and paused actually take effect,” said NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold.

Forecasts project a 2.1% year-on-year increase in U.S. port volumes for July, reaching 2.36 million TEUs. However, steep drops are expected from August through November, with volume reductions predicted to range between 10.4% and 21.3% due to the tariff impact.

Ben Hackett, Founder of Hackett Associates, commented that “a flurry of tariff-related announcements from the Trump administration has only served to further increase supply chain uncertainty,” emphasizing that “the global supply chain functions best in a trade environment that is smooth and predictable.”