October 23, 2026
The Port of Long Beach achieved its busiest month in its 115-year history by moving nearly 1 million container units in September, a milestone fueled by the Port's inclusion in shippers' cost-saving strategies against high diesel costs, Panama Canal access restrictions and a possible new U.S.-China trade deal.
The Port handled a record-setting 997,177 twenty-foot-equivalent units last month, eclipsing the previous record of 987,191 TEUs achieved in October 2024. Longshore workers and terminal operators in Long Beach processed 25% more cargo last month than they did in September 2025, with speed, efficiency and zero congestion.
Imports last month soared 31.3% to 509,390 TEUs, exports increased 7.8% to 91,747 TEUs and empty containers rose 22.1% to 396,040 TEUs when compared to the same month in 2025. Supply Chain Insight episode thumbnail and episode link
Year-to-date, the Port of Long Beach has moved 7,675,255 TEUs through September, up 3.9% compared to the same period last year.
Source: Port of Long Beach