The Port of Long Beach posted a year-over-year decline in cargo volumes in April as global market volatility, rising fuel costs and supply chain uncertainty continue to pressure international trade flows. Longshore workers and terminal operators moved 817,992 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) during the month, down 5.7% from April 2025, which marked the busiest April on record for the port. Despite the decline, volumes remained historically strong as one of the nation's leading trade gateways continues to navigate a volatile trade environment.
Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba stated Thursday that "In our industry, the only certainty is uncertainty." He added, "With recent supply chain disruptions adding volatility and instability to global trade, it's even more important for our port to remain a safe harbor in the sea of trade and geopolitical uncertainty to keep cargo moving." The comments reflect growing concern across the shipping industry that global disruptions are beginning to reshape cargo flows beyond short-term shocks.
The deteriorating security environment around the Strait of Hormuz remains a major concern for shipping markets, contributing to higher bunker costs, elevated war-risk premiums and longer voyage routes across global trade lanes. Hacegaba warned during last month's media briefing that "What happens in the supply chain doesn't stay in the supply chain. It shows up in the prices people pay every day." Pricing across the container market suggests supply chains remain under pressure.
Spot rates on major transpacific routes remain sharply above pre-conflict levels, according to Xeneta and Drewry, driven by higher fuel costs, operational disruptions and continued uncertainty surrounding shipping through the Middle East. Peter Sand, Xeneta Chief Analyst, noted that "average spot rates from Far East to US West Coast remain up more than 50% compared to pre-conflict at the end of February, but have remained effectively flat over the past month." Sand added that one factor behind the short-term market plateau on the transpacific is US shippers delaying signing new long-term contracts due to the uncertainty caused by the Middle East crisis.
Port officials have increasingly pointed to rising fuel prices, tariff uncertainty and geopolitical instability as key headwinds facing supply chains. The April figures follow a softer March, when the port handled 774,935 TEUs, also below last year's record pace. Through the first quarter of 2026, Long Beach still ranked as the busiest container port in the United States, though volumes were running below 2025's historic levels.
Key Takeaways:
1. Port of Long Beach handled 817,992 TEUs in April, down 5.7% year-over-year.
2. Strait of Hormuz security crisis is driving up bunker costs, war-risk premiums and voyage durations.
3. Transpacific spot rates remain more than 50% above pre-conflict levels from late February.
4. US shippers are delaying long-term contract signings due to Middle East crisis uncertainty.
5. Long Beach remained the busiest U.S. container port in Q1 2026 but volumes trailed 2025 record levels.
