Record October as Los Angeles tops 1 Million TEUs for second straight month

The Port of Los Angeles set a new record in October, handling 1,026,872 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), marking its busiest month ever and the second straight month surpassing the 1 million TEU milestone for the first time. The port's total volume in October was the second-highest monthly volume in U.S. history, trailing only September's all-time record.

This achievement marked the third time Los Angeles reached the million TEU threshold in 2026, another first for the port. No other U.S. port has recorded a million TEUs in a single month, according to the port authorities.

Over the course of June through October, the port processed nearly 5 million TEUs, its strongest five-month period on record. Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka emphasized that this sustained high activity level underscores the strength of the port's supply chain partners and the dedication of its workforce. However, while loaded imports increased by 25% to 538,620 TEUs, exports dropped by 7% to 114,981 TEUs.

The port also set a monthly record for empty TEUs handled, with 373,271 units moved, a 30% increase from October 2025.

Seroka credited the surge in cargo activity to strong consumer spending, retailers restocking inventories, recent trade policy changes, and ongoing challenges in other global shipping routes. Los Angeles' appeal lies in its speed, reliability, and extensive reach in the supply chain network. During the first ten months of 2026, the port processed about 9,108,497 TEUs, a 5% increase from the same period in 2025 and 9% above its five-year average.

While the record-breaking volumes highlight Los Angeles' growing importance in global trade, the high number of containers waiting for intermodal trains presents a challenge, with 39.8% of import boxes sitting for nine or more days, compared to 30.2% at the neighboring Port of Long Beach. Most of these containers are destined for BNSF Railway, the monitor noted.

These trade dynamics reflect uneven market conditions, with exports declining while imports surged sharply and empty-container repositioning significantly contributed to overall port activity.