In February, the Port of Long Beach, California, experienced significant growth in trade activity, marking the ninth consecutive month of increased cargo movement. This surge aligns with retailers’ strategic efforts to move goods ahead of anticipated tariffs.

The port handled a total of 765,385 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in February, reflecting a 13.4% increase compared to the same month last year. Imports rose sharply by 11.8% to 368,669 TEUs, while exports saw a modest increase of 2.9%, reaching 90,026 TEUs. Additionally, the movement of empty containers surged by 19.1%, totaling 306,690 TEUs.

Overall, in the first two months of 2025, the Port of Long Beach managed to move a substantial 1,718,118 TEUs, representing a 27.4% year-over-year increase. This growth highlights the port’s critical role in the supply chain as businesses adapt to shifting trade conditions.