How strong was the May volume print?
It was a broad-based gain, not a one-line headline. The port said imports rose 40% to 418,851 TEUs, exports increased 32.9% to 109,168 TEUs, and empty containers climbed 21.8% to 314,012 TEUs. The port's year-to-date throughput reached 4,050,247 TEUs.
| Metric | May 2026 result | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Imports | 418,851 TEUs | +40.0% |
| Exports | 109,168 TEUs | +32.9% |
| Empty containers | 314,012 TEUs | +21.8% |
| Year-to-date total | 4,050,247 TEUs | Above 2025 pace |
Why should importers care beyond the headline?
A strong cargo print is good for port momentum, but it also means downstream pressure can build quickly in drayage, appointments, and warehouse receiving if volume stays elevated. Strong import growth often shows up in local trucking and inland storage constraints before it becomes obvious in ocean schedules.
Does higher volume automatically mean congestion?
Not automatically, but it raises the probability. When imports, exports, and empties all move higher together, equipment turns and terminal fluidity matter more. The port's strong numbers are a demand-positive signal, but importers should still watch appointment availability and local dwell trends instead of assuming higher throughput always means smooth flow.
What Shippers Should Do
- If your freight is routing via Long Beach, monitor drayage and warehouse appointment lead times alongside ocean ETAs.
- Use the strong May print as a cue to check inland capacity, not just port-side performance.
- Separate cargo that truly needs Southern California discharge from freight that can use alternate gateways.
- Review July receiving plans now, since strong May volume can feed directly into tighter local capacity later in the summer.