The Port of Long Beach reported a year‑on‑year cargo decline in January but still moved enough volume to remain the nation's busiest seaport, handling 847,765 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) as softer imports outweighed steady exports and a drop in empty containers.
The port's January performance was down 11% from January 2025, which remains the Port's best January and second-busiest month in its 115-year history.
Imports were down 13.1% to 409,818 TEUs and exports rose 0.8% to 99,478 TEUs. Empty containers moving through the Port declined 11.5% to 338,470 TEUs.
Port CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba said the Port of Long Beach continues to lead the nation in trade despite ongoing tariff and market uncertainty.
"We are leading the nation in trade, and providing a safe harbor in the sea of tariff and trade uncertainty for our customers and the goods movement industry," Hacegaba said.
"No matter what happens with cargo volume, the Port of Long Beach has the capacity, infrastructure and workforce to move goods quickly, efficiently and reliably."
Port of Long Beach Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna noted that the cargo numbers show that the port continues to be the port of choice for customers. "We are well on our way to another busy year for cargo," he said.
The decline in cargo volume follows a record-setting year of 9.9 million TEUs moved in 2025, when uncertainty prompted shippers to move goods before tariffs and reciprocal tariffs were implemented last spring.
Hacegaba said he anticipates continued uncertainty following the US Supreme Court's ruling last week declaring two-thirds of tariffs imposed last year under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, unconstitutional.
"While this decision ruled on the legality of the IEEPA tariffs, it did little to remove the uncertainty we've seen – and continue to see – across the global supply chain," Hacegaba said.
"Our customers are seeking clarity on whether tariffs already paid will be refunded, and consumers are seeking relief from higher prices," he added.
