The Port of Los Angeles handled 955,907 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in August 2026, capping the busiest three consecutive months in its history. More than 2.9 million TEUs crossed its docks in June, July and August, the port reported on September 9.
August volume was on par with the same month last year and 6% above the five-year average. Loaded imports came to 500,302 TEUs, nearly even with last year. Loaded exports fell 9% to 115,561 TEUs, and empty containers rose 4% to 340,044 TEUs. Over the first eight months of 2026 the port moved just over 7 million TEUs, 1.5% ahead of the same period in 2025.
The run began with 1,002,734 TEUs in June, the busiest June the port has recorded, followed by 960,464 TEUs in July, its second-busiest July.
Executive Director Gene Seroka attributed the summer to resilient consumer demand, early holiday shipments and a broad mix of cargo. “September is shaping up to be another strong month, and Los Angeles is well positioned to respond as global trade patterns continue to evolve,” he said. Brian Dodge, president and CEO of the Retail Industry Leaders Association, joined the port’s briefing and noted that retailers are dealing with higher fuel costs, tariffs and other economic pressures.
What it means for shippers
- Peak conditions are not over. With the port expecting another strong month in September, keep booking drayage as early as you can. Send the delivery order when the arrival notice comes in, not when the vessel is at the dock.
- Holiday goods landed early. Early holiday shipments were one of the drivers named by the port. If your inventory arrived ahead of schedule, check that warehouse space and final delivery are arranged, so containers are not held on chassis longer than planned.
- Return empties promptly. A large number of empty containers is moving back through the harbor. Confirm where and when each empty can be returned before the truck leaves, because a refused return costs a day and can add equipment charges.
- Exporters have room to plan. Loaded exports were down 9% in August. Booking and equipment are still worth arranging early, as terminals coming off a record summer have less slack for late arrivals.
- Watch free time closely. In heavy months the gap between a container becoming available and its last free day feels shorter. Track both dates for every container.
The port said in July that the June record was reached without vessel backlogs or cargo delays. Volume on this scale still leaves little margin, and well-prepared shipments are the ones that move first.
Go Trucking Services handles drayage, including container pickup and delivery at LA Harbor. See our drayage service or request a quote on the home page.
Sources:
- Port of Los Angeles: Port of Los Angeles Posts Best Three-Month Cargo Stretch in Port History (September 9, 2026)
- Port of Los Angeles: Port of Los Angeles Posts Second-Best July on Record (August 18, 2026)
- Port of Los Angeles: Port of Los Angeles Records Best June Ever, Tops 1 Million Container Units (July 15, 2026)
Image: DanielMichaelPerry, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0).
