Port of LA Reports Strong February Despite Global Challenges

Cargo volume remains steady despite Middle East conflict and tariff uncertainty

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:00pm

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The Port of Los Angeles processed 824,323 twenty-foot equivalent units in February, a 3% increase compared to the same month last year. This was the second-best February in the port's history, though global developments like the Middle East crisis and federal tariff policies remain concerns across supply chains.

Why it matters

The Port of Los Angeles is a critical economic engine for Southern California, handling a significant portion of the region's import and export cargo. Strong performance at the port despite global headwinds signals resilience in the local economy.

The details

Loaded imports stood at 433,812 TEUs, a 5% increase compared to February 2025. Loaded exports stood at 116,633 TEUs, an increase of 7%, and the port processed 273,878 empty containers, a decrease of 2% compared to February 2025. However, the port has processed roughly 1.63 million TEUs so far in the first two months of 2026, a 5% decrease compared to the same period in 2025.

  • The Port of Los Angeles processed 824,323 twenty-foot equivalent units in February 2026.
  • This was a 3% increase compared to February 2025.
  • The port has processed roughly 1.63 million TEUs so far in the first two months of 2026, a 5% decrease compared to the same period in 2025.

The players

Port of Los Angeles

A major seaport located in San Pedro Bay in the San Pedro and Wilmington neighborhoods of Los Angeles, California. It has been described as the busiest container port in the Western Hemisphere.

Gene Seroka

The Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles.

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What they’re saying

“Cargo volume remained steady, though global developments are of concern across supply chains.”

— Gene Seroka, Executive Director, Port of Los Angeles (spectrumnews1.com)

The takeaway

The Port of Los Angeles has demonstrated resilience in the face of global economic and geopolitical challenges, maintaining steady cargo volume and underscoring the strength of the local economy. However, port officials remain cautious about the potential impacts of ongoing conflicts and trade policies on supply chains.