Port of Long Beach Leads U.S. Growth with Record Container Volumes in 2025
1. Overview: Long Beach Emerges as U.S. Port Leader
In March 2025, the Port of Long Beach (POLB) recorded 817,457 TEUs, a 25% increase from the same period in 2024. This includes:
a 25.8% rise in imports to 380,562 TEUs,
a slight 1% drop in exports,
a 35% increase in empty containers to 332,832 TEUs.
These figures mark the 10th consecutive month of year-over-year growth for the port.
“We are leading the way as the nation’s busiest port by ensuring the fastest, most efficient delivery of cargo,” said Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach. “With cutting-edge facilities, we continue to move record volumes while delivering best-in-class service.”
During Q1 2025, the Port handled 2.53 million TEUs, up 26.6% year-over-year. Since October 2024, the port has moved 5.26 million TEUs, setting a new record for the busiest first half of any fiscal year in its history. Long Beach is now outpacing the Port of Los Angeles, which led in 2024 with 10.3 million TEUs.
2. Analysis: Growth Drivers and Industry Implications
The rapid growth of POLB reflects several key factors:
- Infrastructure Investment: Long Beach has heavily invested in smart port technology and automation, improving turnaround time and overall efficiency.
- Supply Chain Shift: Many shippers are diversifying away from congested gateways, and POLB has become a preferred choice for imports from Asia.
- Surge in Empty Containers: The 35% increase in empties signals active global repositioning, often seen in high-demand trade environments.
- National Trade Strategy: Long Beach plays a critical role in balancing U.S. import flows, especially amid global disruptions and trade realignments.
With its modern terminals, multimodal connections, and efficient customs processing, Long Beach offers a compelling advantage for businesses seeking faster delivery and supply chain resilience.
3. Real Logistics Insight: Supporting Smarter Port Choices
As a global freight forwarding and supply chain solutions provider, Real Logistics continuously monitors port performance, infrastructure changes, and trade flows. The sustained growth at the Port of Long Beach represents an important strategic opportunity for businesses shipping to or from North America.
Real Logistics supports clients with:
- Port routing strategy consulting to determine the most time- and cost-effective U.S. gateways.
- Customs clearance and compliance services at U.S. ports, including Long Beach and Los Angeles.
- End-to-end freight forwarding, including air-sea multimodal services, inland trucking, and bonded warehouse solutions.
- Real-time cargo tracking and risk analysis to adapt to port congestion and market volatility.
Our team combines local execution with global expertise to ensure your cargo reaches the right place, at the right time, with maximum reliability.
4. Conclusion
The Port of Long Beach’s record-breaking start to 2025 positions it as a dominant force in U.S. maritime trade. For global shippers, this signals both opportunity and the need for strategic planning. Partnering with a logistics expert like Real Logistics helps businesses stay competitive and agile in a fast-moving global supply chain.
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