The Port of Long Beach ran to its second-busiest July on record and the fourth-strongest month in its 115-year history.
Long Beach, which with adjoining Port of Los Angeles comprises the top San Pedro Bay import gateway, moved 928,508 twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) in July, down from 1.7% from July 2025.
Imports were essentially flat, off 0.1% to 467,461 TEUs, while exports increased 14.8% to 104,843 TEUs. Empty containers, frequently an indicator of future imports, fell 7.4% to 356,205 TEUs.
SONAR Ocean Booking Index for China-Long Beach containers is elevated from a year ago.
Analysts say the surge is backed by surprising consumer resilience amid inflation and higher peices, and marks the beginning of an extended peak season that is now expected to stretch into September. The National Retail Federation revised its summer import forecast to steady, elevated gains while Maersk (OTC: AMKBY) on Thursday raised its full-year guidance for the second time.
Year-to-date, Long Beach has processed 5,758,086 TEUs through the first seven months of 2026, a gain of 1.2% y/y.
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The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face – fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps – navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
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F3 Awards Dinner
Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music – 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
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F3: Future of Freight Festival
Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga – plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
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