The Port of Los Angeles set a new record in June.
The largest container port in the USA handled 1,002,734 TEU in June. That is 12 percent more than in June of the previous year. For a June month, that is a new record.
Imports were particularly strong. Loaded import containers reached 530,558 TEU. That is an increase of 13 percent compared to June 2025.
The reason is quite clear: Many importers brought goods into the USA earlier. They wanted to avoid potential new tariffs and higher costs. Better to stock the goods now than to purchase later at higher prices and with greater uncertainty.
For logistics on the US West Coast, this can quickly become tight. When so much cargo arrives at once, it is felt not only at the terminal. It also affects rail, trucking, chassis, warehouse space, and inland transportation.
For freight forwarders, this is a typical sign of a pulled-forward peak. The market looks strong, but some of this strength is likely pulled-forward volume. What comes in additionally today may be lacking later.