Port of Long Beach volumes surge 32% in May

In May, the Port of Long Beach moved 842,000 TEUs, nearly 32% higher compared with last year, making it “our third busiest May on record,” according to Noel Hacegaba, CEO, Port of Long Beach.

Hacegaba was speaking at the Port’s media briefing on June 23^rd where he provided the following cargo volume breakdown:

• Imports rose 40% to nearly 419,000 TEUs.
• Exports increased nearly 33% to more than 109,000 TEUs.
• Empty containers were up 22% to 314,000 TEUs.

Year to date, the Port has processed 4,050,247 TEUs for an increase of 0.2% which Hacegaba said “marks our first year-over-year volume increase for 2026 and puts us on pace with our record year in 2025.”

However, Hacegaba expressed concern about continued uncertainty among importers and exporters related to the disposition of Trump administration tariffs and the Iran War and particularly the uncertainty surrounding the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz impacting global oil supplies: “Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is a critical priority to restore the stability of the U.S. economy.”

The result is “uncertainty is now part of the operating environment and businesses are planning accordingly.”

Inflationary Impact of Iran War

Hacegaba noted that the Iran War has disrupted oil and gas supplies from the Middle East with inflationary impacts on the U.S. economy and on harbor truckers: “The global supply chain runs on fuel, whether it's ocean vessels, trucks or rail. Diesel and bunker costs have jumped 50% since the conflict in Iran began and ripples across the entire transportation ecosystem. If energy markets become more volatile, carriers or logistics providers may adjust routes, capacity or fuel surcharges to offset higher costs. Those increased transportation expenses can ultimately contribute to inflationary pressures that affect consumer demand and cargo volumes.”

He pointed out that inflation has climbed to its highest level in roughly three years, driven in part by higher energy costs and ongoing instability … including tensions involving Iran. As transportation and fuel expenses rise, businesses across the supply chain face increased operating costs that can eventually be passed on to consumers.”

Zero Emissions Initiatives

Hacegaba announced “the world's first clean fuel bunkering challenge. We're awarding $1 million to the first ocean going vessel to refill at berth with methanol on a commercial scale. We are serious about creating a North American market for methanol bunkering and giving the industry itself incentive to invest.”

The Port is also supporting zero emission trucking grants: “We also announced the creation of the Zero Emissions Truck Early Leaders Award program. By making $4.8 million available for eligible trucking companies, the Port of Long Beach is rewarding the trailblazers in our trucking community. And because of their willingness to adopt zero emissions truck technology, these truck drivers are contributing to cleaner air in our region.”

High Fuel Prices Hurt Harbor Truckers

Hacegaba’s guest was Robert Loya, CEO, Harbor Trucking Association (HTA) who reported that the Iran War has resulted in skyrocketing diesel prices that have been hurting harbor truckers: “It's been extremely difficult over the last … few months … Diesel is over $7 per gallon. And what's really concerning is that … many of the times I've been told by my members they are not recovering that full cost. So, what does that mean? That means … as the price of fuel goes up … diesel goes up $2 … they're only getting about a dollar back. And so, you could understand that running at this kind of level, it's unsustainable. The Department of Energy has reported that California diesel fuel is now under $7, which is great to hear. But the gap between the national average is still roughly about $1.70 something … it was up to $2 at one point, which is extremely difficult to …be sustainable.”

Loya said truckers are having a particular problem getting fully compensated by ocean carriers: “So from our perspective we are trying to recover that as best as possible. Some pricing models don't allow it because … customers are refusing to take some of that cost on, including the ocean carriers. For those of my members who move the carrier haulage moves, it was tough for them to relinquish that kind of profit margin.”

Tesla Battery Powered Trucks

Loya said that the Tesla Semi, a new battery powered zero emission truck which has a range of 500 miles per charge, offers the opportunity of addressing volatile diesel prices but the trucks are expensive and the charging infrastructure is still not sufficiently developed:” But now we're seeing the benefits of like the Tesla trucks … the trucks that we thought we needed four years ago to convert, they're starting to show up and I think those are great tools that we have now at our disposal.”

Infrastructure is the next step Loya said: “The next step is the infrastructure. They can put out 60,000 trucks according to Tesla. That's how many they can push out in that plant. But that doesn't mean anything if we don't have the infrastructure to power those units. So, we're excited about the future. We're excited that these trucks are actually lighter, the range is better, they're quicker to fuel or to charge. But we just need the infrastructure in the proper corridors, which I know you guys (Ports of LA and Long Beach) are working on. And we're extremely excited that we're actually partnering in the right corridors where the freight is headed.”

English Language Proficiency

Loya said the Trump administration is enforcing English language proficiency requirements on drivers, and it has had an impact on harbor truckers in California. To support its response, HTA is working with California State University at Long Beach to provide English language proficiency classes: “We've been donating every year $5,000 to an endowment there, and we're using part of that endowment to help fund an English proficiency course. So, we're working and partnering with them. We actually have a few members who are sending drivers there now.”

However, Loya says the notion that language proficiency adversely impacts driving is overstated: “And I think there's a misnomer out there. There's a misunderstanding that just because you can't speak English, you're not a good driver. That's absolutely not true. There's a lot of great drivers, regardless of what language they speak. I just think they're dumping them all in because you're not able to speak English. Now, is it a requirement? It's always been a requirement. It's been in federal law for a long, long time.”

Port Security Grants

Hacegaba said that as part of the nation's busiest trade gateway, “the Port of Long Beach understands that security is not optional. It is a foundation that keeps cargo moving, protects millions of American jobs and strengthens our economy. That's why we're encouraging Congress to increase the funding for the Port Security Grant Program for the next fiscal year to its fully authorized level of $400 million under the Maritime Transport Security Act. America's ports are facing an increasingly complex threat environment that requires continued investment to ensure we remain secure, operational and resilient. Despite these threats, funding for the Port Security Grant Program has remained well below its authorized level for years, hovering between $90 million and $100 million since 2021. This falls short of the resources needed to address today's security realities.”

He emphasized that the Port of Long Beach has benefited from the Port Security Grant Program since its creation in 2002, “allowing us to leverage the funding for vital projects including cybersecurity enhancements, cutting edge drone detection systems, and video analytics for camera systems to increase safety on the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge.”

Hacegaba added: “This has been an ongoing request from the port community for years and is not and should not be a partisan issue.”

Port of Oakland Volume Up 1.9%

The Port of Oakland handled 190,958 TEUs (twenty-foot containers) in May 2026, a 1.9% increase over May 2025. This was the Port's highest monthly cargo volume since January 2026.

Growth was driven by increases in both import and export cargo. Full imports reached 83,809 TEUs, up 5.7% from the same month last year, while full exports totaled 69,284 TEUs, a 2.9% increase. Total loaded volume climbed 4.4% year-over-year to 153,093 TEUs, showing continued growth.

"May marked the second consecutive month of year-over-year growth in total volume, with gains in both full imports and full exports contributing to the month's performance," said Bryan Brandes, Port of Oakland Maritime Director. "The start of a new transpacific vessel service during the month added capacity and strengthened connectivity for cargo moving through Oakland."

The Port's import growth reflects continued consumer demand and inventory replenishment activity, while export gains underscore ongoing demand for Northern California agricultural products and other U.S. exports moving through Oakland.