Long Beach Port sets cargo volumes record in April, warns of May slowdown

The U.S. Port of Long Beach on Thursday posted strong April cargo volumes, while warning of a double-digit decline in May as a result of new tariffs imposed by the White House.

"The Port of Long Beach is preparing for a double-digit decline for shipments in May due to tariffs -- and retaliatory tariffs -- that were paused earlier this month," said the port in a statement.

Operators moved 867,493 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in April, marking a 5.7 percent increase over the previous April record set in 2022.

According to data released Thursday, imports from the port rose 15.1 percent to 419,828 TEUs, while exports fell 4.5 percent to 93,842 TEUs. The movement of empty containers through the port increased 23 percent to 353,824 TEUs.

One of the busiest in the United States, the port handled 3.4 million TEUs in the first four months of this year, up 23.6 percent year-on-year.

Even so, Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero said they anticipated a more than 10 percent drop in imports in May, warning that "the effects will be felt beyond the docks."

"Soon, consumers could find fewer choices and higher prices on store shelves, and the job market could see impacts given the continuing uncertainty," he noted.