Port of Los Angeles June 2026 Cargo News Briefing on Inventory, Trade, Supply Chain Trends

Why It Matters

The port’s strong import performance and record logistics leasing reveal a resilient U.S. supply chain, but export weakness and geopolitical uncertainties highlight the need for policy action to maintain trade momentum.

Key Takeaways

• May cargo volume hit 840k TEUs, near pandemic peak.
• Imports rose 17% YoY, outpacing five‑year average significantly.
• Exports fell 10% YoY, marking sixth consecutive decline.
• Potential Strait of Hormuz reopening could lower oil prices, boost shipping confidence.
• Prologis sees record leasing, driven by e‑commerce inventory expansion.

Summary

The Port of Los Angeles held its June media briefing to review May cargo statistics and assess how shifting geopolitics and trade policy are shaping supply‑chain dynamics. 840,000 container units moved through the terminal, a level only eclipsed during the pandemic surge, with imports up 17% year‑over‑year and roughly on par with the five‑year average, while exports slipped 10% and remain below long‑term norms. The data underscore resilient consumer demand and a robust import pipeline, yet highlight a persistent export weakness that has now declined for six of the past nine months. Empty container counts rose 18%, reflecting a rebound from the tariff‑driven slump of 2025. Port officials expect June volumes to exceed 900,000 TEUs as shippers balance energy costs, inventory strategies, and geopolitical risk. Speakers flagged the potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—through which 20% of global energy flows—as a catalyst for lower oil prices and renewed shipping confidence, though they cautioned that full normalization could take months. Prologis CEO Dan Letter emphasized that customers have adapted to chronic uncertainty, driving record leasing activity—64 million square feet in Q1 alone—particularly for e‑commerce‑focused warehousing. The briefing signals that while import demand remains strong, exporters face headwinds, and logistics providers must navigate permitting, power supply, and labor constraints to meet expanding e‑commerce inventory needs. Policy reforms that streamline approvals and secure reliable electricity will be critical to sustaining the port’s throughput and broader U.S. trade competitiveness.

Original Description

June 16, 2026 - Dan Letter, Chief Executive Officer of Prologis, the world’s largest owner, operator and developer of logistics real estate, joins Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka for a media briefing. Letter and Seroka discuss how supply chains are adapting to a rapidly changing trade environment and the growing role of warehousing, data and infrastructure in keeping goods moving efficiently.

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