The Port of Long Beach moved 842,030 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in May 2026, up 31.7% from May 2025 and its third-busiest May on record. Port CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba announced the figures on June 23 at his monthly media briefing, according to the American Journal of Transportation.
Imports rose 40% to 418,851 TEUs. Exports increased 32.9% to 109,168 TEUs and empty containers climbed 21.8% to 314,012 TEUs. Through the first five months of 2026 the port handled 4,050,247 TEUs, 0.2% ahead of the same period in 2025.
Part of the jump is the comparison. Reporting its own 17% gain for May a week earlier, the Port of Los Angeles noted that volumes in May 2025 were soft because shippers had paused amid changing tariff policies.
The port also pointed to behavior this year: with fuel costs rising and tariff and geopolitical uncertainty continuing, shippers are moving cargo earlier. “These numbers reflect the strength and adaptability of the supply chain,” Hacegaba said. The port expects an earlier-than-normal peak season, with higher volumes in July and August. The briefing included a discussion with Harbor Trucking Association CEO Robert Loya on how fuel prices are affecting drivers and on the move to zero-emission trucks.
What it means for shippers
- Plan for peak season to come early. If the port’s outlook holds, the busiest weeks at the harbor will fall in July and August. Line up drayage capacity and warehouse space for those months now.
- Send paperwork sooner. When import volume climbs, terminal appointments get harder to find. Forward the delivery order and release documents as soon as the arrival notice comes in, so an appointment can be booked before the last free day is close.
- Ask about fuel. Fuel cost was named as one of the reasons cargo is moving early, and the port’s own briefing covered its effect on drivers. Check how the fuel surcharge on your harbor moves is set and when it changes.
- Exporters are busy too. Exports rose almost a third. Book equipment early and confirm receiving windows before dispatching a load to the terminal.
One strong month does not settle the year: five-month volume is almost level with 2025. The useful signal for planning is the timing, with cargo arriving earlier than the usual late-summer build.
Go Trucking Services handles drayage, including container pickup and delivery at LA Harbor, as well as ocean freight. See our drayage and ocean freight services, or request a quote on the home page.
Sources:
- American Journal of Transportation: Port of Long Beach cargo shows double-digit growth (June 24, 2026)
- Container News: Port of Long Beach posts strong cargo growth in May (June 24, 2026)
- Port of Los Angeles: Port of Los Angeles May Cargo Volume Climbs 17% (June 16, 2026)
Image: Dave Proffer, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).
