Port of Long Beach Outpaces Rivals as Tariffs and War Risks Cloud Outlook

The Port of Long Beach emerged as the busiest seaport in the United States through the first quarter of 2026, even as cargo volumes eased from last year’s record pace and global supply chain risks continue to build.

Dockworkers and terminal operators at Long Beach handled 774,935 TEUs in March, down 5.2% compared to the same month in 2025. The decline comes against a strong baseline, with last year marking a record period for cargo movement at the port.

Imports slipped 1.6% to 374,412 TEUs, while exports edged up 0.5% to 104,554 TEUs. Empty containers saw the sharpest drop, falling 11.1% to