Trucking News · California · November 14, 2026

Port of Los Angeles Tops 1 Million Container Units in October for a Second Straight Month

By Big Rig Daily Staff

The Port of Los Angeles topped 1 million container units for a second month in a row, something the port says it has never done before.

The October record

October's total was 1,026,872 container units, the busiest October in the port's history, FreightWaves reports. The port says no other U.S. port has hit a million in a single month.

Loaded imports were up 25% from a year ago. Exports fell 7%. Empty containers hit a record too, with 373,271 headed back out.

Why it matters to truckers

Every one of those boxes has to leave the port somehow, and a lot of them leave on a truck chassis. Record months can mean more hours in line at the terminal gates for drayage truck drivers. Los Angeles and Long Beach already set all-time container records in September, so October extends a busy stretch at the San Pedro Bay ports.

Quick facts

• October total: 1,026,872 container units, the port's busiest October.
• First time the port has topped 1 million units in two straight months.
• The port says no other U.S. port has hit a million in a single month.
• Loaded imports: up 25% from a year ago. Exports: down 7%.
• Empty containers headed out: 373,271, a record.

FAQ

Did exports rise along with imports?

No. Loaded imports were up 25%, but exports fell 7%. Empty containers leaving the port also hit a record.

A question for readers

Port truckers, are these record months putting more money in your pocket, or just more hours in the line?

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