New Long Beach record as volume nears 1M containers
Port of Long Beach hit 997,177 TEUs in September 2026 — a 115-year record and 25% YoY increase — driven by a 31.3% surge in loaded imports as shippers rerouted away from Panama Canal delays and anticipated a U.S.-China trade deal. No congestion reported.
The combination of near-1M TEU volume and a potential U.S.-China trade deal signals a demand pull-forward cycle — sellers who don't manage inbound velocity will face margin compression from storage fees and forced markdowns heading into peak season.
A 31% import surge with no congestion means inventory that was stuck in transit limbo is now moving — sellers who over-ordered in anticipation of delays may face a glut hitting Amazon FCs simultaneously, compressing sell-through rates. Pull your Inventory Performance Index and days of supply now; if you're already above 90 days, slow replenishment immediately.
Operational Impact
This story may require teams to revisit workflows, monitoring, or platform assumptions.
Bottom Line
Record import surge means Q4 inventory glut risk is real for sellers now.
Source Lens
Industry Context
Useful background context, but lower-priority than direct platform, community, or operator intelligence.
Impact Level
medium
Record import surge means Q4 inventory glut risk is real for sellers now.
Key Stat / Trigger
31.3% YoY increase in loaded imports to 509,390 TEUs at Port of Long Beach in September 2026
Focus on the operational implication, not just the headline.
Full Coverage
The Port of Long Beach moved 997,177 twenty-foot-equivalent units in September, its busiest month in 115 years and a 25% increase from September 2025, port officials said Thursday. The total surpassed the port’s previous monthly record of 987,191 TEUs, set in October 2024.
Port Chief Executive Noel Hacegaba said shippers increasingly relied on Long Beach as they adjusted to high diesel costs, Panama Canal access restrictions and the prospect of a new U. S. -China trade agreement. He said the record came with no congestion. Loaded imports rose 31. 3% year over year to 509,390 TEUs, while exports increased 7. 8% to 91,747 TEUs.
Empty container moves climbed 22. 1% to 396,040 TEUs. Through the first nine months of 2026, the port handled 7,675,255 TEUs, up 3. 9% from the same period in 2025. Hacegaba highlighted Total Terminals International, which set a Port of Long Beach monthly rail record in September by handling 59,410 moves, nearly half of the terminal’s total container volume.
The port also announced an incentive program ahead of Caltrans’ planned 16-month deck-replacement project on the Vincent Thomas Bridge, which begins Nov. 7. Starting in late October, Long Beach container terminals will offer additional evening and Saturday gates for six weeks, excluding Thanksgiving week, to give truckers more flexibility during the closure.
The port expects to remain fully open while the bridge project proceeds at the neighboring Port of Los Angeles. Read more articles by Stuart Chirls here.
Read more: Houthi attacks add new geopolitical risk to softening container rates New chief for DP World Americas Philadelphia ports sets $837 million expansion, first new berth in 50 years Despite new record, Port of LA chief warns of tariff-driven planning risk Shippers waiting an extra week for US-bound containers The post New Long Beach record as volume nears 1M containers appeared first on FreightWaves.
Check Amazon Seller Central > Inventory > FBA Inventory for 'Days of Supply' — if above 90 days, pause or reduce inbound shipments now to avoid long-term storage fees triggering in Q4.
Plan for Vincent Thomas Bridge closure starting Nov. 7: if your 3PL or drayage operator routes through Port of LA, confirm they're using Long Beach's extended evening/Saturday gates (available late Oct for 6 weeks) to avoid delays.
Original Source
This briefing is based on reporting from Freightwaves. Use the original post for full primary-source context.
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