El Puerto de Los Ángeles processed 890,861 TEU in April, 5.7% more than the previous year. This represents the second best April on record, with strong import demand despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding tariffs and trade policy.
During the first four months of 2026, the port handled 3,279,704 TEU, 2% above its five-year average for that period and 2% below last year’s pace, which was due to a significant concentration of cargo at the start of the year.
“April was our best month of the year and we recorded the highest cargo volume since last August, a clear sign that the U.S. consumer remains strong. Retailers and manufacturers continue to move goods despite the uncertainty, and based on what we are observing in Asia, the next wave of imports — from back-to-school items to holiday products — is already beginning to take shape,” declared Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, to journalists in a press conference.
Ambassador Katherine Tai, who served as United States Trade Representative at the ministerial level, accompanied Seroka at the briefing. Tai analyzed the current trade policy landscape, including tariffs, global supply chain dynamics, and the outlook for U.S. trade policy.
In April 2026, loaded vessel imports totaled 459,825 TEU, representing a 5% increase over the previous year and 21% more than in March. Loaded vessel exports reached 127,726 TEU, 0.5% less than the previous year. Empty vessels arriving at port registered 303,310 TEU, 10% more than the previous year.
