Seroka: Last month was busiest June ever, driven by imports

The Port of Los Angeles reported its busiest June on record, processing 892,000 20-foot-equivalent units (TEUs), a 5% rise compared to the first half of 2024. The surge in container traffic was driven by a temporary easing of U.S.-China tariff tensions, which allowed importers to accelerate shipments ahead of potential future trade restrictions.

According to Port Executive Director Gene Seroka, the increase reflects a “tariff whipsaw” effect, as businesses adjust to frequent changes in trade policy under President Donald Trump’s administration. Imports rose 10% year-over-year to 470,000 TEUs, while exports increased slightly to 126,000 TEUs. Empty container processing rose 7% to 296,000 TEUs.

Despite the strong June performance, Seroka warned that uncertainty surrounding future tariffs and potential retaliatory measures could dampen trade activity in the coming months. The port is expected to see a continued surge in July as companies rush to beat an August 1 deadline for higher tariffs on most U.S. trading partners. However, trade forecasters anticipate a significant slowdown for the rest of the summer and into the holiday season.