Port Container Volumes Remain Strong During August
Port of L.A. Executive Director Seroka Expects Slowdown in Last Quarter of Year, While Long Beach's Cordero Expects Gains to Continue
Key Takeaways:
- U.S. container ports reported strong August volumes as shippers accelerated imports to avoid trade policy disruptions and prepare for the holiday season.
- The Port of Los Angeles handled nearly 2 million containers in July and August, while Long Beach saw its second-busiest August on record.
- Executives warned that volumes may cool later this year due to cautious consumer demand and tariff uncertainty, though several ports project continued steady or modest growth.
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U.S. port container volumes remained strong in August as shippers angled to outmaneuver President Donald Trump’s unpredictable trade policies while also getting a jump on the holiday season rush, executives said.
“The Port of Los Angeles moved nearly 2 million containers in July and August combined,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said during a September media briefing. “That’s the best two-month stretch for any port in the Western Hemisphere.”
Seroka noted, however, that this flurry of activity will likely cool during the remainder of the year. “Much of the year-end holiday cargo has already arrived, and economic signals like slowing job growth and lingering inflation are making both importers and consumers a bit more cautious,” he said.
August container volume at the facility was essentially flat compared with year-ago levels at around 958,355 20-foot-equivalent units. On a sequential basis, volume slid 6% from record movement of 1,019,837 TEUs reported in July. Through the first eight months of the year, L.A. container volume rose 4.5% to 6,934,004 TEUs.
August was the Port of Long Beach's sixth-busiest month on record. (Eric Thayer/Bloomberg)
August 2025 was the second-busiest August on record at the adjacent Port of Long Beach, even as container volume slid 1.3% year over year to 901,846. It also was the port’s sixth-busiest month in its history, as retailers continued receiving goods purchased during recent pauses in Trump’s tariff war. Through August, the facility’s TEU volume rose 8.3% to 6,592,708 units, and Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero expects the gains to continue. “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,” he said.
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Still, Cordero cautioned that ongoing policy uncertainty clouds the outlook.
“Shifting trade policies continue to create uncertainty for businesses and consumers,” he said.
Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes offered a similar outlook.
“Our terminals and labor partners kept cargo moving efficiently through Oakland as shippers navigated these trade shifts,” he said. “We expect cargo volumes to remain consistent through the fourth quarter, and Oakland remains committed to ensuring reliable, efficient operations for all our customers.”
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The facility saw volume inch down 0.3% year over year to 192,313 containers from 192,963 following a strong July, reflecting shifting shipper behavior amid trade policy uncertainty. Importers moved goods earlier in the season to avoid potential disruptions, the port noted, while exporters benefited from consistent overseas demand.
Activity took a steep dip at the Northwest Seaport Alliance, as combined August volume between the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., decreased 18.7% to 256,735 TEUs compared with 315,739 last year. Still, this volume marked a 2.9% increase from this July.
The ports noted that while tariffs are expected to continue dragging down container volume, negative year-over-year comparisons also are more likely because of 2024 volume that was spurred by Canadian labor disruptions.
Year to date through August, Port Houston volume has increased 5% to 2,932,936 containers from 2,791,127 in 2024. (Port Houston)
Port Houston reported that August volume increased 1% to 370,430 TEUs from 367,653 last year but decreased 6% sequentially from the 392,829 units reported in July. Year to date through August, volume has increased 5% to 2,932,936 containers from 2,791,127.
The South Carolina Ports Authority reported container volume increased 15.6% to 230,150 containers from 199,034. It noted that investments in rail infrastructure continue to yield growth at both of its inland ports; in August, 25% of containers were moved by rail. Plus, Inland Port Dillon handled a record 4,738 moves in August.
The South Carolina Ports Authority said rail infrastructure investments continue to yield growth at both of its inland ports, Dillon and Greer. (South Carolina Ports Authority)
The Port of Savannah reported its third-busiest month, with August container volume increasing 9% to 534,037 TEUs. The facility also launched its new fast-track routing process for container vessels, with the aim of optimizing inbound transit to its Garden City Terminal.
“This lay berth, combined with our eight start times for ship labor, creates exciting new possibilities for ships to stay on schedule or make up time. This is a game changer for GPA and our customers,” Georgia Ports Authority President Griff Lynch said. “Our mission is to make it easy to do business. “We’re really focusing on high productivity at the berth, the container yard, the truck gates and the rail — and the numbers show it.”
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