TransportationSupply Chain

Port of Los Angeles March 2026 Cargo News Briefing on Middle East Conflict, Supply Chain

Port of Los Angeles
Port of Los Angeles•Mar 13, 2026

Why It Matters

With the United States reliant on the Port of LA for a large share of its imports, heightened fuel costs and tariff ambiguity threaten cost structures and inventory strategies, making the port’s operational flexibility and workforce diversity essential for maintaining supply‑chain stability.

Key Takeaways

  • •February TEU volume hit 824k, second busiest February ever
  • •Imports up 5% YoY, exports rise 7% but still lag
  • •Middle East conflict raises fuel costs, disrupts regional transshipment hubs
  • •Tariff uncertainty shortens planning horizons, pushes short‑term contracts
  • •Women now represent 40% of engineering staff, double national average

Summary

The Port of Los Angeles held its March media briefing to review February cargo statistics, assess the fallout from the Middle East conflict, and discuss recent trade‑policy developments, including the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling and insights from the Trans‑Pacific Maritime (TPM) conference.

February saw 824,000 TEUs handled – a 3% rise over last year and 11% above the five‑year average. Imports grew 5% YoY to 434,000 TEUs, while exports rose 7% to 117,000 TEUs, though export volumes remain modest. Empty container repositioning fell 2%, reflecting carriers’ effort to move equipment back to Asia. Officials expect a dip in March followed by a stronger April as retailers replenish seasonal inventory.

Guest speaker Ron Widows warned that the war in the Gulf has halted Dubai’s 20 million TEU flow, a volume comparable to the combined Los Angeles‑Long Beach complex, and has driven up bunker fuel prices and insurance premiums. He also highlighted that most U.S.-bound ships avoid the Strait of Hormuz, limiting direct disruption but creating knock‑on effects on trans‑shipment hubs such as Singapore.

The combined uncertainty from geopolitics and tariff policy is compressing planning horizons, pushing shippers toward short‑term contracts at higher rates. Port leadership emphasized the growing role of women—now 40% of engineering staff—to sustain operational resilience, while the industry’s fluid asset base, including Flexivan’s expanding chassis fleet, will be critical to absorb any future shocks.

Original Description

March 12, 2026 - Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka is joined by Ron Widdows, a former ocean carrier CEO who now leads one of the nation’s leading chassis companies. Widdows and Seroka discuss the Middle East conflict’s impact on the maritime industry, the recent Supreme Court ruling on tariffs and other supply chain issues. Seroka provides an update on the latest Port cargo volume.
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