When the barometers of global trade begin flashing warning signs, it’s time to reassess the path ahead. The latest cargo throughput data from September at the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach—the two most critical gateways on the US West Coast—has sounded a clear alarm.
Figures released by the Port of Los Angeles show a total throughput of 883,053 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in September, marking a 7.5% year-over-year decline. Meanwhile, the Port of Long Beach handled 797,537 TEUs during the same period, reflecting a 3.9% drop compared to the previous year.
The declines at both ports underscore multiple converging pressures. On one hand, weakening global economic conditions have dampened consumer demand, directly impacting import and export activity. On the other, while supply chain bottlenecks have eased somewhat, lingering uncertainties continue to disrupt shipping efficiency. Compounding these challenges are heightened geopolitical risks, which further cloud the trade outlook.
Port throughput serves as a key indicator of economic activity, and the simultaneous contractions at Los Angeles and Long Beach suggest broader headwinds for US and global trade in the coming months. Analysts will monitor subsequent data releases closely to gauge the trajectory of trade flows and inform business decision-making.