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- Despite challenges from government shutdowns and tariffs,the Port of Long Beach surpassed 10 million TEUs for the first time,signaling continued economic strength for Southern California.
- The Port of Long Beach achieved a milestone in fiscal year 2025 (October 2024 - September 2025), exceeding 10 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo.
- A TEU is the standard unit for measuring container ship and terminal capacity.
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Port of Long Beach Achieves Record cargo volume in Fiscal Year 2025
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Despite challenges from government shutdowns and tariffs,the Port of Long Beach surpassed 10 million TEUs for the first time,signaling continued economic strength for Southern California.
Published: November 8, 2025, 20:43:30 PST
Record-Breaking Cargo Throughput
The Port of Long Beach achieved a milestone in fiscal year 2025 (October 2024 – September 2025), exceeding 10 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo. This represents an 11% increase compared to the same period last year, according to port officials.
A TEU is the standard unit for measuring container ship and terminal capacity. One TEU is equivalent to the volume of a 20-foot long container.
Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero acknowledged the difficulties faced during the year, stating that while challenges existed, cargo volume remained robust. He indicated that despite the government shutdown and ongoing tariff uncertainties, the port maintained a high level of activity.
October 2025 saw a slight dip in TEU volume, with 839,671 TEUs moved, compared to the same month in 2024. This decrease was attributed to retailers and shippers proactively accelerating their shipments to circumvent potential fees and build up inventory in anticipation of tariffs. The Journal of Commerce reported similar trends in November 2023, highlighting the impact of tariff anticipation on shipping patterns.
Economic Impact of the Port of Long Beach
The Port of Long Beach is a significant economic driver for California and the United States. port officials estimate that it supports 691,000 jobs in Southern California alone. Furthermore, over 2.7 million U.S. jobs are connected to the port’s operations.
| Economic Impact Area | Estimated Jobs Supported |
|---|---|
| Southern California | 691,000 |
| United States (Total) | 2,700,000+ |
Looking Ahead: Positive Outlook for 2025
Despite the October decline, Mario Cordero expressed optimism about the port’s performance for the remainder of 2025, predicting an overall “positive territory” outcome. This suggests confidence in the port’s ability to maintain strong cargo volumes despite ongoing economic uncertainties.
