“Expect these substantial, ongoing cargo volumes to persist in the near future, fueled by robust consumer expenditures, an early Lunar New Year celebration, importers’ worries over unsettled labor disputes on the East Coast, and potential new tariffs in the coming year that could elevate shipping expenses,” predicted Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles.

This remarkable throughput at the Port of Los Angeles is part of a larger pattern, with the port handling 8,491,420 TEUs in the first ten months of 2024, a 19% improvement over its 2023 rate. October’s data revealed a composition of 462,740 TEUs in incoming laden containers (a 24% rise), 122,716 TEUs in outgoing laden containers (a 1% increase), and 319,570 empty containers (a 38% leap) when compared to the previous year.

In close proximity, the Port of Long Beach also showcased a commendable performance in October. It managed 987,191 TEUs, a dramatic 30.7% increase year-over-year, propelled by the high demand for seasonal goods. The port not only set a new monthly record but also exceeded its previous all-time high, established just two months before in August 2024, by 8%.