LA Port Sees Near-Record Volumes in February

Continued consumer demand outpaces economic uncertainty

Mar. 12, 2026 at 9:09pm

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The Port of Los Angeles processed 824,323 twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) in February, the second-highest volume on record and a 3% increase from a year ago. Retailers and manufacturers brought in cargo ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, when many Asian factories paused production. Port officials expect March traffic to be flat before import gains in April, though the outlook is shadowed by global uncertainty around the Iran war, recent Supreme Court tariff rulings, and trade policy shifts.

Why it matters

The Port of Los Angeles is the busiest container port in the United States, so its monthly volumes are a key indicator of the strength of the American consumer economy and global trade. Despite broader economic uncertainty, the port's near-record February numbers suggest continued resilience in consumer demand.

The details

The Port of Los Angeles processed 824,323 twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) in February, a 3% increase from the same month a year ago and the second-highest monthly volume on record for the port. Port officials attributed the strong numbers to retailers and manufacturers bringing in cargo ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday in Asia, when many factories pause production. Looking ahead, the port expects March traffic to be flat before seeing measurable import gains in April.

  • The Port of Los Angeles processed 824,323 TEUs in February 2026.
  • Many Asian factories paused production for the Lunar New Year holiday in February 2026.

The players

Port of Los Angeles

The busiest container port in the United States, located in Los Angeles, California.

Gene Seroka

Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles.

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What they’re saying

“Retailers and manufacturers brought in cargo ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, when many factories paused production in Asia.”

— Gene Seroka, Executive Director, Port of Los Angeles (FreightWaves)

What’s next

Port officials expect March traffic to be flat before seeing measurable import gains in April.

The takeaway

Despite broader economic uncertainty, the Port of Los Angeles' near-record February volumes suggest continued resilience in American consumer demand, underscoring the port's critical role as a barometer of the nation's economic health.