Design Highlights
- December 2025 imports at the Port of Los Angeles fell to 424,499 TEUs, marking an 8% decrease from the previous year.
- The total cargo volume dropped by 14.1% in December, indicating significant challenges for the port’s overall performance.
- Loaded imports were down nearly 8%, reflecting a concerning trend in trade activity at the port.
- Export figures showed a slight decline of 2%, suggesting underlying economic issues affecting trade dynamics.
- The persistent downward trend in imports and exports raises questions about the sustainability of recent cargo growth rates.
When the dust settled on December, the Port of Los Angeles found itself grappling with some sobering numbers. December was not kind to imports, with 424,499 TEUs making their way through the port. That number sounds impressive until you realize it was a sharp decline from the previous year. An 8% drop in year-over-year numbers? Ouch. And loaded imports took a hit too, down nearly 8% at 424,498 TEUs. Just a hair shy of the port’s official stats, which recorded 424,498.75 TEUs. Really? They had to get that precise?
The total cargo volume for December reached 791,587 TEUs. That’s not just imports; it includes exports too. But here’s the kicker: this figure was down 14.1% from last December. Talk about a party foul. The export side of things wasn’t much better either. At 108,075 TEUs, exports dropped by 2%, which, in the grand scheme, feels like a gentle nudge compared to the brutal hit imports took. It’s like saying, “Hey, we’re not doing so bad!” while standing in a crumbling building.
Putting December’s numbers in context, it’s hard not to notice the downward trend. November had already set the tone with imports sliding down to 406,421 TEUs, marking an 11% drop year-over-year. Exports in November were not exempt either, dropping by 8%. It seems like the port is stuck in a downward spiral, with December’s figures only confirming the trend. Much like how college students might be covered under their parents’ policies for certain losses, these import figures remain tethered to broader economic trends that dictate the ebb and flow of global trade.
On a bright note, 2025 wasn’t all doom and gloom. The Port of Los Angeles processed a grand total of 10.2 million TEUs for the year, ranking as the third busiest in its 118-year history. This total marks the third highest something to hang your hat on, right? But does it overshadow the current slump? Maybe not. The cargo boom that once felt unstoppable appears to be fading.
