The Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach are currently experiencing an influx of freight containers from China, as shipping companies aim to get ahead of potential tariff increases. President Trump has set a deadline of August 12 for the U.S. and China to reach an agreement on their trade deal, prompting this spike in activity.
Recent data from the Marine Exchange of Southern California and the Coast Guard indicates that the number of ships arriving at the ports has increased significantly over the past few days. On Friday, 64 vessels arrived, followed by 68 on Saturday and another 64 on Sunday.
Captain J. Kipling (Kip) Louttit, the executive director of MX SoCal, has noted that this marks the highest volume of container ships heading to these crucial ports since January 2025. The upcoming weeks are expected to see further shipments from various regions, including Asia, Oakland, and San Diego, as well as other locations such as Central America and Alaska.
However, officials warn against calling the situation a “surge,” as they do not anticipate a prolonged spike in volume due to recent softening in container traffic. Importers in the U.S. have been hesitant to place large orders due to the ongoing trade tensions.
Currently, the terminals at Long Beach are operating at approximately 60% capacity, while those in Los Angeles are at about 70%. Both ports express readiness to accommodate the expected increase in traffic, although canceled sailings have steadily decreased.
The uptick in freight activity is a positive sign for logistics sectors, including trucking and railroads, as it enhances employment opportunities at the docks. Despite the rising number of arrivals, the overall cargo flow remains below normal levels for June, with concerns over the impact of impending trade negotiations in July and August.