The Port of Long Beach experienced a double-digit growth in cargo volume in May despite ongoing challenges related to tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty, officials announced Tuesday.
During his monthly briefing, Port CEO Noel Hacegaba said dock workers and terminal operators handled a total of 842,030 twenty-foot equivalent units, an increase of 31.7% compared to May 2025. It was the port’s third-busiest May on record, he added.
Imports rose by 40% to 418,851 TEUs, and exports increased by 32.9% to 109,168 TEUs. Empty containers were up 21.8% to 314,012 TEUs.
“These numbers reflect the strength and adaptability of the supply chain,” Hacegaba said. “Shippers are responding to the higher cost of doing business by moving cargo earlier and shippers continue to choose the Port of Long Beach for our reliability, efficiency and ability to move their cargo during complex times.”
The port has processed 4,050,247 TEUs through the first five months of 2026, up 0.2% compared to the same period last year, putting the port on pace with its record year in 2025.
Rising fuel costs, tariff uncertainty and geopolitical concerns are all contributing to expectations for an earlier peak shipping season — a busy summer with higher-than-normal cargo volumes anticipated in July and August, according Hacegaba.
Companies are trying to stay ahead of potential cost increases and avoid delays later in the year, he added.
“The Port of Long Beach continues to be the port of choice for our customers,” Long Beach Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna said in a statement. “Our vision for the future and the proactive investments we have made in infrastructure, technology and workforce have allowed us to perform in a very competitive market.”
Hacegaba was joined by Harbor Trucking Association CEO Robert Loya, who gave remarks about the effects of rising fuel prices on local truck drivers, workforce challenges and the ongoing transition to zero-emissions trucks. Nearly 73% of U.S. freight by weight is moved by truck.