10/19/2026
Rail News: Intermodal
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The Port of Long Beach set a monthly record in September, breaking the previous record set in October 2024.
Photo – Port of Long Beach
The Port of Long Beach (POLB) handled 997,177 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in September, a 25% increase over September 2025, making it the busiest month in the port’s 115-year history.
The port’s previous monthly record — 987,191 TEUs — was set in October 2024, port officials said in a press release. Imports rose 31.3% year-over-year to 509,390 TEUs, while exports increased 7.8% to 91,747 TEUs and empty containers rose 22.1% to 396,040 TEUs.
Through September, the port has moved 7,675,255 TEUs in 2026, up 3.9% compared to the same period last year.
The traffic increase was primarily fueled by shippers sending cargo to the West Coast as part of cost-saving strategies against high diesel costs, Panama Canal access restrictions and a possible new U.S.-China trade deal, port officials said.
“Shippers continue to lean on the Port of Long Beach as a reliable partner in their business strategies, leading to our historic month for cargo,” said POLB CEO Noel Hacegaba. “Every milestone brings us closer to achieving our long-term goal of doubling cargo volumes to 20 million TEUs annually by 2050 as we build the Port of the Future™.”
POLB has connections to BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad.
Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.
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