The Port of Long Beach , in California, United States, showed a slowdown in cargo movement last June, processing 704,403 TEUs  (20-foot containers), which meant 16.4% less than in the same month of 2024.

“Regardless of the economic climate, our facilities, longshore workers, and marine terminal operators continue to make this the primary gateway for transpacific freight movement,” said Bonnie Lowenthal, president of the Long Beach Port Commission.

In the sixth month of the year, imports decreased 16.9% to 348,681 TEUs , the port announced in a statement.

Meanwhile, exports also showed negative figures, falling 10.9% to 87,627 TEUs . Empty containers circulating through the port reached 268,095 TEUs , representing a 17.4% decrease compared to the reference month.

Despite the decline in June 2025, port authorities anticipate a recovery in July.

“We anticipate an increase in cargo in July as retailers stock up on products ordered during the 90-day pause imposed on tariffs and retaliatory duties,” said Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach.

In the first half of 2025, the port handled 4,746,631 TEUs , 10.6% more than in the same period in 2024.

“The Port of Long Beach is prepared to handle the influx by tracking trade moving through the port with the Supply Chain Information Highway, our digital solution for maximizing visibility and efficiency in cargo movement,” Cordero said.

Bonnie Lowenthal emphasized that investment continues in infrastructure projects to maintain efficient and sustainable cargo movement in the port area.

In this sense, the port is recognized as a world leader in green initiatives and first-class customer service, moving cargo with reliability, speed, and efficiency.

It is one of 18 strategic commercial seaports in the United States, supporting the deployment of forces during contingencies and other national defense emergencies.

In 2025, the facility is celebrating “20 Years of Green Leadership ,” marking two decades of its historic Green Port policy, which has significantly reduced the environmental impacts of its operations.

As the United States’ primary gateway for trans-Pacific trade, the port handles more than $300 billion in trade annually and supports 2.7 million American jobs , including 691,000 in Southern California.

Over the next 10 years, authorities plan $3.2 billion in capital improvements to increase capacity, competitiveness, and sustainability.

Main image taken from X’s account: @portoflongbeach .

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“We are monitoring the development of new trade policies and the impact on our longshore workers and others throughout the supply chain,” said Bonnie Lowenthal, president of the Long Beach Port Commission, regarding the reported decline in May.

In the fifth month of the year, imports fell 13.4% to 299,116 TEUs, the port reported in a statement.

Exports also showed a downward trend, with 82,149 TEUs moved , which meant an 18.6% annual decrease, while empty containers circulating through the port increased to 257,895 TEUs, 3.2% more compared to May 2024.

Despite the negative figures for the fifth month of 2025, Port of Long Beach officials expect that a temporary pause in tariffs “will likely trigger an increase in cargo by the end of June.”

“We remain cautiously optimistic that import cargo will rebound in late June and July, just in time for peak shipping season, when retailers stock shelves with back-to-school supplies and begin preparations for winter break,” said Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach.

In the January-May 2025 period, the port handled 4,042,228 TEUs , representing a 17.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Cordero noted that although commercial uncertainty persists, investments in port infrastructure continue. “While uncertainty persists for the business sector, the Port of Long Beach continues to invest in rail and terminal improvements to move cargo efficiently, safely, and sustainably,” he said.

As the United States’ primary gateway for trans-Pacific trade, the port handles more than $300 billion in annual trade and supports 2.7 million American jobs, including 691,000 in Southern California.

Over the next 10 years, the port plans $3.2 billion in capital improvements , which will be used to increase capacity, competitiveness, and sustainability.

In terms of sustainability, the port, which was named by industry leaders as “The Best Seaport on the West Coast of North America” for the sixth consecutive year in 2024, celebrates in 2025 the 20th anniversary of the Green Ports Policy , which has led to programs to improve air and water quality, protect marine wildlife, and implement sustainable practices.

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LÁZARO CÁRDENAS, MICH. – APM Terminals Lázaro Cárdenas has taken a momentous step in global maritime trade with the inauguration of Operation Gemini Cooperation , featuring an innovative Simultaneous Transshipment Connection  never before seen in the world.

This innovative double-handling model represents a milestone in port logistics, enabling the transfer of containers between vessels, optimizing time, costs, and operational efficiency.

With the launch of this operation, Lázaro Cárdenas consolidates its position as a key point within Gemini’s modular network , receiving TP11 and TP15 services, with a pioneering operation that not only transforms the way cargo moves through the port, but also places Mexico at the forefront of global maritime trade.

“What makes this operation unique is that, for the first time in the world, a simultaneous double transfer between two vessels is being carried out at the same terminal. We’re not just talking about a step forward for our company, but an achievement for the entire maritime industry,” explained Beatriz Yera, general manager of APM Terminals Mexico, during the opening ceremony.

This speech was reinforced by Vice Admiral Heliodoro Álvarez , Director General of the National Port System Administration (Asipona) Lázaro Cárdenas , who mentioned that this achievement not only benefits the port or the country, but also marks a before and after in the history of international trade.

For his part, Captain Manuel Fernando Gutiérrez, general coordinator of Ports and Merchant Marine , highlighted that the Gemini Cooperation operation strengthens Mexico’s competitiveness in global trade .

“This joint operation not only optimizes the loading and unloading of goods, but also increases the efficiency of the national port system. It reflects the confidence the private sector has in our ports and demonstrates Mexico’s potential as a world-class logistics hub,” he stated.

The Gemini Cooperation operation is the result of a strategic collaboration between the shipping companies Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd , and, according to Beatriz Yera, this transaction makes Lázaro Cárdenas a key player within a select global network.

“They chose us out of the entire American continent; there are only four terminals in this service network, and one of them is Lázaro Cárdenas. Every weekend, we’ll carry out a simultaneous transshipment operation. This hasn’t been done before; it’s the first time it’s been done in the world, and it’s going to be in Mexico and at APM Lázaro Cárdenas,” the executive emphasized in an interview with T21.

He stated that one of the key factors that made this operation possible in Lázaro Cárdenas is the port’s advanced infrastructure and its capacity to receive deep-draft vessels .

In addition, APM Terminals Lázaro Cárdenas is the only terminal in Latin America with automated yards , allowing for more agile and secure cargo management.

Likewise, the port’s geographic location and connectivity allow shipping companies to offer shorter transit times between Asia and the East Coast of the United States, the director of APM Terminals Mexico told this outlet.

In this regard, during the opening ceremony, Gloria María Huerta Ramírez, Director of Social Security and Employment Promotion for the Ministry of Economic Development of the Michoacán government, emphasized that the port’s rail integration represents a key advantage.

“A container that touches our dock can travel directly to the industrial heart of the United States or Canada without changing rail companies. This makes us more attractive compared to other ports, driving cargo arrivals, investment, and business opportunities,” he said.

Preparing for this milestone

The model allows containers from one service to be transferred directly to another and vice versa, without intermediate storage. This simultaneous connection streamlines the logistics chain, reduces costs for shipping companies, and optimizes transit times to their final destinations.

In this regard, Yera commented that this Gemini Cooperation operation has required months of preparation and testing , so the challenge was not only technical, but also logistical and organizational.

“Simulations were conducted with pilots, tugboats, and crane operators, in addition to multiple meetings with shipping companies and clients to fine-tune processes. We also worked closely with customs and port authorities to ensure the safety and efficiency of the process,” Beatriz Yera stated.

Two weeks into this operation, Yera noted that the operations have been planned. “Each ship is planned according to the destination, according to the weight of the containers, but one of the things we’ve learned is that if the ships arrive on time, we can deliver a smooth operation that meets the expectations of the shipping lines and end customers,” he said.

Expansion and strengthening of the terminal

To meet growing demand and continue attracting more services, APM Terminals is undergoing the second phase of expansion of its terminal in Lázaro Cárdenas.

This project, which began in September 2023 with an investment of more than $150 million , seeks to increase operational capacity and improve infrastructure with new cranes and specialized equipment.

“We are investing in new gantry cranes, yard support equipment, and shuttle carriers. In December, we received 14 new shuttle carriers, new yard cranes will arrive in May, and in August, we will add our eighth gantry crane. This will allow us to operate more efficiently and better respond to market needs,” Yera explained.

The expansion phase will be completed by February 2026 and will allow APM Terminals to handle increased cargo volumes and attract new transcontinental services.

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