Bustling California Ports to Close 2024 With Record Volumes

The Port of Los Angeles is poised for its busiest December on record, with expectations to exceed 900,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and reaching a total of 10 million TEUs for the year for only the second time. The neighboring Port of Long Beach is also experiencing historic volumes, expecting to reach 9.6 million TEUs in 2024, surpassing previous records. This surge in activity is partly due to businesses rerouting goods through California to avoid disruptions from labor disputes affecting East and Gulf Coast ports, as well as a rush to import goods before anticipated tariffs under President-elect Trump potentially slow down traffic next year. As of 2024, the Port of Los Angeles has processed 9.4 million TEUs, marking a 19% increase from 2023. The ongoing situation underscores the importance of adaptable supply chain strategies in response to geopolitical events and labor disputes. Transportation experts might emphasize the significance of maintaining flexible routing options, as reliance on any single port can lead to vulnerabilities. This shift highlights the ever-changing dynamics in global trade, where economic policies and labor relations directly impact shipping patterns and volumes.