New statistics show that the Port of Los Angeles had its busiest June in its 117-year history, marking an 8% increase from last year. June’s record volume reflects a 32% rise from May.
Although Port Officials recently emphasized that the rise in freight should not be called a surge, in June, the Port of Los Angeles processed a total of 892,340 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
Authorities expected the rise in containers after President Trump reduced the tariff on Chinese goods from 145% to 45%.
Port of LA Executive Director Gene Seroka stated that the situation was a “tariff whipsaw effect”, with shippers rushing to avoid President Trump’s trade taxes.
Seroka told reporters, “After a very slow start, the Port of Los Angeles bounced back strong in the second half of June… While record-setting volume is welcome news, it also highlights the tariff whipsaw effect.”
“When tariffs kicked in, imports slowed significantly in May and continued to drop through the first half of June — then with a pause on some tariffs — cargo began moving once again.”
“Shifting timelines simply mean shifting volume and more uncertainty here at the Port of LA. Looking into August, if everything holds the way we see it right now, I expect volume to ease because of those new tariffs being in place, making it more costly for American importers.”
Although Trump postponed tariffs until August, Seroka advised retailers that they should have already placed their end-of-year holiday cargo orders, as most ocean shipments require an average transit time of 20–30 days. “It’s too late to try to negotiate orders at this point in time for that year-end product.”
Despite the tariff turmoil, port volume in 2025 is ahead by 5% of this time last year.
By CEO NA Editorial Staff
