The Port of Los Angeles handled near-record container volumes in 2025 despite a challenging global trade environment, reinforcing its position as the top U.S. import gateway while outlining major infrastructure and sustainability investments.
The port moved 10.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) during the year, the third-highest total in its 118-year history and only the third time volumes have exceeded 10 million TEUs. This followed a strong 2024, when throughput reached 10.3 million TEUs. Together with the Port of Long Beach, Los Angeles forms the San Pedro Bay maritime complex, the busiest container gateway in the Western Hemisphere.
Speaking at the annual State of the Port event hosted by the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, Executive Director Gene Seroka credited the workforce and supply chain partners for the performance.
“Every record set and every bar raised is a direct result of the dedication and commitment of the people who make this port work,” Seroka told more than 900 attendees. “Cargo remains the lifeblood of the U.S. economy.”
December volumes reflected the impact of shifting trade policies and tariffs. Loaded imports totaled 424,498 TEUs, down 7.9% year on year, while loaded exports slipped 2.2% to 108,074 TEUs. Empty container movements fell sharply by more than 26% to 259,014 TEUs.
Looking ahead, Seroka outlined the port’s “Build Bigger and Build Smarter” strategy, centered on large-scale infrastructure development. At the core is the proposed Pier 500 Marine Container Terminal, for which the port issued a request for proposals in October.
“Pier 500 would be the first new container terminal to be developed at the port in a generation,” Seroka said, describing it as a future benchmark for clean and sustainable terminal operations.
Other projects include a new Maritime Support Facility for chassis parking and container exchanges, expansion at the Fenix Marine Services terminal on Pier 300, and proposed wharf and rail upgrades at the LA TiL Container Terminal, operated by MSC’s Terminal Investment Ltd.
The port is also expanding its digital and traffic-management tools, including the Port Optimizer, Signal and Universal Truck Appointment System. An $8 million California GO-Biz grant will extend the truck appointment platform to Long Beach terminals and enhance data-sharing across five major state container ports.
On sustainability, the Port of Los Angeles reported the lowest emissions per TEU of any port globally and continues to advance zero-emissions infrastructure in partnership with the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Federal support includes a $412 million Clean Ports grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced in 2025, alongside $230 million in non-federal funding, to accelerate the deployment of zero-emission equipment across terminals.
