April Port of Los Angeles volume robust ahead of drop coming from tariffs

The Port of Los Angeles handled 842,806 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in April, 9.4% more than last year. After four months, the Port of Los Angeles has processed 3,346,853 TEUs, 6.2% more than the same period in 2024.

“We’ve had nearly two years of robust volume, including 10 straight months of year-over-year growth,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka told more than 90 journalists at a media briefing. “A strong economy and high consumer confidence propelled that growth early on, while more recently it’s been the push by importers to bring cargo in ahead of today’s tariffs.

“Moving forward – at least for the short term – we will see a softening of global trade during this period of elevated tariffs and uncertainty,” Seroka added. “As cargo eases, the Port of Los Angeles will use its strong financial base to invest in infrastructure, technology and workforce development. We’re focused on $230 million in capital projects in the upcoming fiscal year so that we’re ready to go when volume comes back strong.”

April 2025 loaded imports came in at 439,230 TEUs, 5% higher compared to the previous year. Loaded exports landed at 128,394 TEUs, a 3% drop from 2024. The Port processed 275,183 empty container units, 25% more than last year.