The Port of Los Angeles experienced its strongest month in history in September 2026, handling 1,042,652 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units). This level of transportation broke the previous record set in July 2025 and is also the highest container movement in the history of the Western Hemisphere.
New Record in Container Volume
This port has experienced a historic period over the past four months, especially in September, and it is expected that the strong trend of container movement will continue in the fourth quarter. Greg Stanton, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, stated: "September was a month for setting records and is part of an extraordinary period for the Port of Los Angeles." He also noted that consumer demand remains strong and importers are replenishing their inventories.
Read more: 120% Growth in Trade at Customs in Southern Sistan and Baluchestan
Export Status and Challenges Ahead
While import volume in September reached 545,696 TEU, which is 19% higher than September 2025, exports remain at a lower level. Stanton expressed concern that exporters, especially farmers, continue to face challenges. However, he pointed out that there are opportunities for increasing movement volume due to reduced tariffs compared to last year.
Additionally, global issues including problems in the Middle East, the Red Sea, and the Suez Canal, as well as traffic restrictions due to drought in the Panama Canal, seem to have benefited West Coast ports, particularly Los Angeles. Stanton emphasized that shippers are allocating more cargo to the Port of Los Angeles due to disruptions in other parts of the global supply chain.
In the first nine months of 2026, the Port of Los Angeles has handled a total of 8.1 million TEU. According to Stanton, forecasts for the near future are positive. Typically, a downward trend is observed at this time of year, but due to disruptions caused by recent storms in China, there are still cargoes remaining in that country for transit.
The Port of Los Angeles expects the movement volume in October to reach around 900,000 TEU. However, forecasting volumes for November and December is challenging, as shippers quickly respond to global conditions and retailers and importers have generally increased their inventories.
Read more: 70% Increase in Maritime Traffic in the Magellan Strait Due to Drought in the Panama Canal · 73% Decrease in Clinker Exports in Iran's Cement Industry
