The Port of Los Angeles moved 960,464 TEUs in July, its second-highest July total on record, according to FreightWaves. The figure came in 6% below the same month in 2025, when shippers frontloaded cargo ahead of anticipated trade policy changes, but ran 7.5% above the port's five-year July average.
The result extends a run of historically elevated volume at the nation's busiest seaport and follows a June that surpassed 1 million container units, leaving July just shy of that threshold. In a media briefing, Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, said:
After topping 1 million container units in June, we nearly reached that mark again in July. Businesses continue to move cargo when they see windows of opportunity amid an evolving trade environment, while resilient consumer demand is helping keep imports at historically strong levels.
July throughput at a glance
The table below summarises the July 2026 container metrics reported by FreightWaves.
| Metric | July 2026 | Year-over-year change | vs. 5-year July average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total volume | 960,464 TEUs | -6% | +7.5% |
| Loaded imports | 499,552 TEUs | -8% | +6% |
| Loaded exports | 111,776 TEUs | -8% | n/a |
| Empty containers | 349,137 TEUs | -2% | n/a |
Composition of July cargo
- Loaded imports reached 499,552 TEUs, down 8% from 2025's record month but 6% ahead of the five-year July average, according to FreightWaves.
- Loaded exports totaled 111,776 TEUs, an 8% year-over-year decline.
- Empty containers moved at 349,137 TEUs, off 2% from a year ago.
FreightWaves did not provide five-year July averages for exports or empty containers.
First seven months and the outlook
For the first seven months of 2026, the port handled 6,083,067 TEUs, up 1.8% from the same period a year ago, according to FreightWaves. Seroka said another strong month is expected in August, though some cargo that typically arrives later in the season has already moved earlier. He pointed to consumer demand as the key variable for the balance of the year.
Seroka also emphasized that the port has the capacity and operational readiness to absorb additional cargo if shifting global trade routes steer more volume toward Los Angeles.
What this means for shippers and operators
For freight forwarders, 3PLs, ocean carriers, and supply chain managers, the July figures show import volumes running well above their five-year seasonal norms even as year-over-year comparisons are distorted by 2025 frontloading. Seroka's reference to "windows of opportunity" indicates that timing remains an active lever for shippers in the current trade environment. His assurance of capacity readiness is a signal that port gate, berth, and terminal operations can absorb increased volume, potentially easing concerns about congestion if trade routes shift toward Los Angeles.
Related events promoted in FreightWaves' report
FreightWaves' coverage also promoted upcoming industry gatherings, including the Brokerage Compliance Symposium, the F3 Awards Dinner, and the F3: Future of Freight Festival, to be held at The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo in Chattanooga, Tennessee. According to FreightWaves, the brokerage compliance event addresses fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, and insurance gaps. The F3 Awards will honor FreightTech100 companies, and reveal FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners.
Watch list
- August volumes: Seroka expects another strong month, but some cargo that would typically arrive later in the season has already moved.
- Consumer demand: Identified as the key variable for the balance of 2026.
- Trade policy environment: Evolving conditions continue to push businesses to move cargo opportunistically.
- Trade route shifts: Potential redirection of volume toward Los Angeles, for which the port says it is operationally ready.
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