The Port of Los Angeles had another strong month in February, handling over 801,000 shipping containers. This is a 2.5% increase compared to February last year, making it one of the busiest Februarys in the port’s history. The port has been on a steady growth path, with cargo volumes increasing in 17 of the last 19 months.

This growth shows that businesses continue to bring in and ship out large amounts of goods, keeping trade strong. However, while things look good right now, there are concerns that the second half of the year may not be as strong.

What Happened in February?

More Imports: 413,236 containers arrived in the U.S. (1% more than last year).

Fewer Exports: Only 109,156 containers were sent out (18% less than last year).

More Empty Containers: 279,006 empty containers were shipped back overseas (16% more than last year).

Looking at the bigger picture, the port moved 1.7 million containers in the first two months of 2025, which is 5.4% higher than the same period in 2024. This continued growth suggests that businesses have been actively moving goods at the start of the year.

Could Things Slow Down Later This Year?

Even though business is booming now, Gene Seroka, the Port’s Executive Director, says that shipping might slow down in the second half of 2025.

Why?

Many retailers and manufacturers have shipped their goods earlier than usual because they’re worried about new tariffs (extra import taxes).
Since businesses already have a lot of inventory, they might not need to ship as much later in the year.
Because of this, the port could see up to a 10% drop in shipments in the coming months.

Despite this, Seroka is hopeful that the port will keep growing. “We will keep looking for new ways to bring more business through our port,” he said.

For now, the Port of Los Angeles remains one of the busiest shipping hubs in the world, helping goods move in and out smoothly. As global trade patterns shift, companies are looking for efficient and reliable shipping partners.

Logistics providers like Lading Logistics are playing a key role in helping businesses navigate supply chain challenges, ensuring that goods are transported smoothly, on time, and cost-effectively.

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and sources cited below.

Sources: Yahoo, LinkedIn, AJOT