Empty containers in Los Angeles are up 23% due to tariffs
Imports at the Port of Los Angeles edged up in March as front-loading and tariffs clouded the outlook for the second half of the year.
The busiest container portal in the United States handled 778,406 20-foot TEUs, a 4.7% increase over the same period in 2024. The strong performance in March contributed to a strong performance in the first quarter, with the port handling 2,504,049 TEUs, an increase of 5.2% over the same period last year.
"Our trade volumes remained strong in the first quarter and have now increased year-over-year in 18 of the last 20 months," Gene Seroka, executive director of the port, said in a news release. Ceroca expressed optimism about the start of the second quarter, expecting increased trade activity as importers prepare for the spring and summer fashion season, as well as back-to-school shopping.
In March, import shipments stood at 385,531 TEUs, up 1.6% year on year, while export shipments fell to 122,975 TEUs, down 15%.
The number of empty containers rose 23% to 269,900 TEUs.
Despite a good start to the year, Seroka also warned that there could be challenges ahead. He predicted that freight volumes could decline in the second half of 2025, with a projected decline of at least 10% compared to 2024. The forecast is based on two factors: many importers are building up inventories by bringing forward shipments; And the looming threat of tariffs and counter-tariffs could affect consumer behavior.
Seroka explained: "With tariffs and counter-tariffs dominating the headlines, I expect freight volumes to fall by at least 10% in the second half of this year compared to 2024. This is because many importers have already imported goods in advance and consumers will think twice about buying many products as prices start to rise."
The busiest container portal in the United States handled 778,406 20-foot TEUs, a 4.7% increase over the same period in 2024. The strong performance in March contributed to a strong performance in the first quarter, with the port handling 2,504,049 TEUs, an increase of 5.2% over the same period last year.
"Our trade volumes remained strong in the first quarter and have now increased year-over-year in 18 of the last 20 months," Gene Seroka, executive director of the port, said in a news release. Ceroca expressed optimism about the start of the second quarter, expecting increased trade activity as importers prepare for the spring and summer fashion season, as well as back-to-school shopping.
In March, import shipments stood at 385,531 TEUs, up 1.6% year on year, while export shipments fell to 122,975 TEUs, down 15%.
The number of empty containers rose 23% to 269,900 TEUs.
Despite a good start to the year, Seroka also warned that there could be challenges ahead. He predicted that freight volumes could decline in the second half of 2025, with a projected decline of at least 10% compared to 2024. The forecast is based on two factors: many importers are building up inventories by bringing forward shipments; And the looming threat of tariffs and counter-tariffs could affect consumer behavior.
Seroka explained: "With tariffs and counter-tariffs dominating the headlines, I expect freight volumes to fall by at least 10% in the second half of this year compared to 2024. This is because many importers have already imported goods in advance and consumers will think twice about buying many products as prices start to rise."
