Long Beach Port Begins 2025 with Unprecedented Cargo Loads Despite Tariff Worries
The Port of Long Beach is off to a flying start in 2025, with January's cargo volume setting a new record and positioning the port for continued growth.
The port handled an impressive 952,733 TEUs in January, surpassing the previous record for the month set in 2022 by 18.9%. This strong start has set a positive tone for the year, with industry experts suggesting that the port could have another record-breaking year in cargo volumes.
CEO of the Port of Long Beach, Mario Cordero, expressed his optimism about the port's performance, emphasising the commitment to enhancing efficiency and sustainability. The port is dedicated to providing excellent customer service while prioritising sustainable growth.
The surge in cargo volume was primarily driven by a pause in tariffs and retaliatory tariffs earlier in the year, which encouraged retailers to import goods at lower costs. This led to a surge in imports and higher throughput for several months, contributing significantly to the port's busiest July ever and increased volume over the first seven months of 2025.
In addition to the tariff pause, other contributing factors included increased import activity, higher movement of empty containers, strong operational performance, and overall throughput growth. Imports rose by 45% in January to 471,649 TEUs, while empty containers increased by 45.9% to 382,430 TEUs.
However, Mario Cordero also noted that ongoing trade policy uncertainties could potentially impact the port's operations. He suggested that cargo volumes could decline by about 10% in the second half of 2025, leading to a potentially flat overall year despite the record first half.
Uncertainties related to trade policies are prompting shippers to front-load their cargo volumes as a precautionary measure. Changing trade dynamics are being navigated by the Port of Long Beach, with the port committed to maintaining its high standards of service and sustainable growth.
In 2024, the Port of Long Beach handled over 9.6 million TEUs, marking a record-breaking year. The port is well-positioned to continue this trend, with the strong start in 2025 providing a promising outlook for the future.
References: [1] Port of Long Beach (2025). Monthly Cargo Report: January 2025. [online] Available at: https://www.polb.com/cargo-report-january-2025
[2] National Retail Federation (2025). Port of Long Beach Records Busiest July Ever. [online] Available at: https://nrf.com/media/press-releases/port-long-beach-records-busiest-july-ever
[3] American Shipper (2025). Port of Long Beach Handles Record-Breaking Cargo Volume in January. [online] Available at: https://www.americanshipper.com/news/port-of-long-beach-handles-record-breaking-cargo-volume-in-january
[4] JOC (2025). Port of Long Beach Breaks Record with 952,733 TEUs in January. [online] Available at: https://www.joc.com/port-news/north-america-ports/port-of-los-angeles-port-of-long-beach/port-of-long-beach-breaks-record-with-952733-teus-in-january_20250201.html
- In response to the record-breaking January, the Port of Long Beach is aiming to sustain its growth trajectory throughout the rest of the year.
- The increase in cargo volume at the Port of Long Beach is largely attributed to the temporary suspension of tariffs, which encouraged imports in the logistics industry.
- Despite the positive start, Mario Cordero, the CEO of the Port of Long Beach, has voiced concerns about potential trade policy uncertainties that could affect the port's growth in the second half of 2025.
- In 2024, the Port of Long Beach had already established itself as a leader in the industry, handling over 9.6 million TEUs, marking a new record.
- To maintain its competitiveness, the Port of Long Beach is prioritizing both sustainable growth and customer service in its port container operations.
- With continued growth in trade and transportation, the aerospace industry may also see increased exports and imports through the Port of Long Beach.
- Industry experts are suggesting that the Port of Long Beach could continue to set new records in cargo volumes and contribute significantly to the overall trade and supply chain growth in Africa and beyond.
