The Twin Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach See Strong November Results

In November, the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach both reported impressive results, driven by a combination of geopolitical factors and robust consumer spending in the U.S. Despite typically being a slower month, both ports are on track to achieve record-breaking volumes for the year.

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach experienced its busiest November on record, with volumes increasing by nearly 21 percent year-over-year to over 884,000 TEU. Import volumes at Long Beach grew by almost 22 percent, while exports saw a 9.5 percent increase. The movement of empties also surged by 24.5 percent, indicating a sustained influx of imports.

Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero attributed the strong import numbers to high consumer demand and retailers diverting cargo to the port due to labor negotiations at East and Gulf Coast ports.

Port of Los Angeles

Meanwhile, the Port of Los Angeles handled over 884,000 TEU in November, marking a 16 percent year-over-year increase and surpassing the port’s monthly five-year average by 15 percent. Import volumes at Los Angeles were up by 19 percent.

Executive Director Gene Seroka of the Port of Los Angeles also pointed to unresolved labor issues at other ports and pre-emptive cargo loading ahead of potential tariffs as factors driving the increased cargo flow.

Projected Growth and Future Outlook

Both ports are on track for a record-breaking year, with Los Angeles reporting a 19 percent increase year-to-date to 9.37 million TEU, and Long Beach projecting to reach 9.6 million TEU by the end of 2024. The trend of strong import volumes is expected to continue, with Los Angeles forecasting over 900,000 TEU for December and potentially exceeding 10 million TEU for the year.

Despite concerns over tariffs and trade policies, both ports remain optimistic about the future. Seroka anticipates a “fast start” to 2025, with Chinese and Asian factories rushing to ship goods ahead of the Lunar New Year. While uncertainties remain, the ports are drawing from past experiences to navigate potential challenges.