Port of Los Angeles Posts Third-Best Year Ever, Tops 10.2M TEUs in 2025

The Port of Los Angeles handled 10.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2025, cementing its position as America’s busiest seaport for the 26th consecutive year and delivering the third-best performance in the port’s 118-year history.

Executive Director Gene Seroka announced the milestone during the port’s 11th annual State of the Port addressbefore a record crowd of more than 900 industry and community leaders at AltaSea. The result marks the third time the port has surpassed 10 million TEUs.

“Every record set and every bar raised is a direct result of the dedication and commitment of the people who make this Port work,” Seroka said. “Cargo remains the lifeblood of the U.S. economy. American farmers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers all depend on how well we move that cargo.”

Expansion Plans: Pier 500 and Beyond

Looking ahead, Seroka outlined a major infrastructure push under a “Build Bigger and Build Smarter” framework, anchored by plans for Pier 500, which would become the port’s first new container terminal in a generation. A Request for Proposals issued in October is evaluating commercial interest and project feasibility.

“Pier 500 would significantly expand our cargo capacity and be the greenest, cleanest terminal in the world,” Seroka said. “It’s an investment in our workforce, sustainability, resilience, and long-term competitiveness.”

Additional priorities include development of a Maritime Support Facility on Terminal Island, expansion at Fenix Marine Services Terminal on Pier 300, and wharf and rail upgrades at LA TIL Container Terminal in the West Basin.

Cruise Growth

The port also continues to expand its cruise business, after handling 1.6 million passengers on 241 cruise calls in 2025. Pacific Cruise Terminals—a joint venture between Carrix and JLC Infrastructure—has been selected to redevelop the Outer Harbor into a new world-class cruise center.

Environmental progress remained central to the port’s strategy. Los Angeles reported the lowest emissions per TEU of any port worldwide, supported by a $412 million EPA Clean Ports grant and an additional $230 million in non-federal funding to accelerate deployment of zero-emission cargo-handling equipment.

“No other port complex in the world is tackling these challenges at this pace or scale,” Seroka said.

Emergency Response Recognized

Seroka also recognized first responders involved in containing a major ship fire last November on board the containership M/V One Henry Hudson, noting their rapid response prevented injuries and allowed terminal operations to resume within 24 hours.

Since launching in 2016, the State of the Port event—hosted by the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association—has raised more than $350,000 for local nonprofits, with this year’s proceeds benefiting EXP and the Toberman Neighborhood Center in San Pedro.