Port of Long Beach Sets All-Time Record with Nearly 1 Million TEUs in September
Cubierto por 3 fuentesPublicado
The Port of Long Beach posted its best month in 115 years of history in September 2026, moving 997,177 TEUs, a 25% increase over the same month in 2025. This figure topped the previous record of 987,191 TEUs set in October 2024, cementing the highest monthly cargo volume in the California port's history.
Imports on the Rise
Growth was driven mainly by imports, which surged 31.3% to 509,390 TEUs compared to the same month last year. Exports, meanwhile, rose 7.8% to 91,747 TEUs, pushing the import-to-export ratio above 5 to 1, according to Seatrade Maritime. Empty container movement also grew 22.1%, reaching 396,040 TEUs.
Shippers' Strategy
The port attributed this milestone to Long Beach's inclusion in shippers' cost-cutting strategies amid high diesel prices, access restrictions at the Panama Canal, and the possibility of a new trade deal between the United States and China. Port CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba noted that shippers continue to rely on Long Beach as a dependable partner in their trade strategies, which resulted in this historic month of cargo volume.
Year-to-Date Totals and 2050 Target
Between January and September, the port handled a cumulative 7,675,255 TEUs, a 3.9% increase over the same period last year, a figure Seatrade Maritime rounds to 7.68 million TEUs. Hacegaba also noted that every milestone brings the port closer to its goal of doubling cargo volumes to reach 20 million TEUs annually by 2050, as part of the initiative known as Port of the Future. He also highlighted the performance of Total Terminals International, which in September set a new monthly rail record for the port by handling 59,410 lifts, nearly half of that terminal's total container volume.
Vincent Thomas Bridge Closure
The record comes as the port implements measures to sustain cargo flow during the closure of the Vincent Thomas Bridge, in the Port of Los Angeles area, which will begin on November 7 and last 16 months for deck replacement work. To mitigate the impact, Long Beach will open additional container terminal gates during evenings and Saturdays, a program set to launch in late October, two weeks before the closure, and continue for six weeks, excluding Thanksgiving week, in coordination with terminal operators, the International Longshore & Warehouse Union, and the Harbor Trucking Association.
