Tariffs and trade tensions continue to influence U.S. shipping activity
The Port of Los Angeles, the nation’s busiest seaport, recorded its second straight monthly drop in imports this September. Despite the decline, the port achieved record-breaking cargo volume in the third quarter as businesses across the U.S. navigated unpredictable trade conditions.
During the third quarter, port operations handled around 2.9 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) — surpassing the previous record set during the same period last year. However, the outlook for the coming months points to a potential slowdown as President Donald Trump’s tariffs continue to squeeze company profits and influence consumer costs.
“We’re past peak season and expect to see cargo volume soften over the last three months of the year,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka told reporters on Oct. 15. “And of course, ongoing turbulent negotiations with our largest trading partner could intensify that decline.”
According to port data, the Port of Los Angeles processed about 883,000 container units in September. Roughly 460,000 TEUs were loaded with imports — an 8% decrease compared to the same month last year. Exports reached nearly 114,700 TEUs, remaining consistent with last year’s figures.
The port also reported around 308,000 empty containers in September, representing a 10% drop from the same month last year. Seroka noted that the decline in empties is “yet another signal that our imports will be softening.”
Across the U.S., many major seaports are experiencing fluctuating trade volumes since the administration began tightening trade policies with China earlier this year.
A report from the National Retail Federation (NRF) last week projected a steady decline in inbound shipments from September through December. The NRF also anticipates that import volumes in January could be 16% lower than the same month in 2025.
“Many large companies preemptively imported goods to build up inventories, but as those stockpiles are depleted, the full inflationary impact of the tariffs will become apparent,” said Ben Hackett of Hackett Associates, which publishes the Global Port Tracker with the NRF.
Source – Port of Los Angeles September 2025
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