Port of LA closes on 10 million TEUs in 2025

The Port of Los Angeles processed 848,431 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in October, and 8,655,489 TEUs so far in 2025, a 2% increase over 2025 and is “within reach” of processing 10 million TEUS in 2025.

“With six weeks to go, we are within reach of the 10 million container unit mark for the year,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said at a media briefing on November 18^th.

In October, the Port of Los Angeles processed:

• Imports 429,283 TEUS
• Exports 123,768 TEUS
• Empties 295,380 TEUS

Downward Trend for Remainder of 2025

The total was “about 6% below last October,” Seroka said, adding: “That said, from here until the end of the year, we'll expect a seasonal slowdown in the 10 to 15% range compared to 2024.”

The reason for the dip is that: “Last year's numbers were unusually high as many shippers pulled cargo forward right after the election in anticipation of tariffs and changes in trade policy. Also, this year, retail and manufacturing inventories were already well stocked, so there is simply less need for immediate replenishment.”

China Trade Progress

Seroka discussed his recent trip to Shanghai: “I was in Shanghai when the latest US-China trade talks wrapped up. The view on the ground was cautious but hopeful, a welcome step assuming that both sides can follow through.”

Resumption of US soybeans sales was one important outcome: “One important outcome is the resumption of some U.S. soybean sales. But this will not happen overnight. Based on contracts and harvest season, it's a modest but positive sign that dialogue is reopening on agriculture and food products.”

A second important outcome was the pause on the surcharge placed on Chinese-built ships. “Also significant is the one-year pause on ship fees, the surcharge on China-built or China-owned vessels calling at US ports, and the same for American vessels going back to China. That move eases some immediate supply chain costs and gives both sides a little bit of time to keep negotiating.”

Uncertainty Over Tariffs Persists

Seroka said that uncertainty over tariffs persists as “Tariffs remain elevated across a wide range of goods and longer-term trade agreements are still unresolved in some cases, both with China as well as other trading partners.”

As a result, “Many CEOs and logistics leaders I've spoken with both overseas and here at home are saying they're still holding back on new capital investments and, to a large extent, hiring until there's more clarity on trade policy and tariffs. And of course, the big focus now is on the upcoming Supreme Court ruling on tariffs, which could reshape how trade duties are applied going forward.”

CAL Chamber Ballot Measure to Revise California Environmental Quality Act

Jennifer Barrera, President and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce, was Seroka’s guest at the media briefing, and she discussed the California Chamber’s proposed ballot initiative to revise the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Barrera said, “We're very excited about this ballot initiative that we just filed. We've spent months researching some of the challenges that we have here in California with building essential projects. And it really is a culmination of that research and the input from our different members that has ultimately created this valid initiative. To put it simply, in California, we have an affordability issue. We are seeing higher costs in housing and energy, even with our water rates. And so, when we took on this project, we were really evaluating how we can address that affordability.”

She argued, “Time is money when you're building out these projects. And so the whole focus of the initiative is to really streamline the approval process for these essential projects, projects that are the basis for a strong economy and to make sure that we can build more efficiently here in California, less expensive, so those costs don't ultimately get passed down to our consumers here in California while still maintaining really strong protections for the environment, which course in California we're very proud of.”

Port of Oakland Up in October

In other news, the Port of Oakland reported that it handled 182,879 TEUs in October 2025, marking a 2.2 percent increase compared to September 2025.

Full container cargo remained resilient, with full imports up 0.9 percent year-over-year and full exports down just 0.7 percent.

The overall 5.5 percent drop in annual volume was mainly because we moved far fewer empty containers this October. That reflects changes in how shipping lines are managing their equipment – not a slowdown in cargo demand.”

“Full imports and exports are holding their ground despite the headwinds,” said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “The modest month-over-month increase shows cargo flow through Oakland remains steady heading into the holiday season. While we’re seeing fewer empty containers move through the system, that’s just part of the broader market adjustment.”

The Port recorded 86 vessel calls in October, down 6.5 percent year-over-year, consistent with ocean carriers’ ongoing schedule and service network adjustments.