Containerized imports rushing to beat policy uncertainty just delivered the Port of Long Beach its second‑busiest August on record — a surge that port officials trace to orders placed during a temporary tariff pause. For truckers across Southern California, that translates into fuller appointment books, tighter chassis turns and heavier weekend demand as the pulled‑forward cargo washes ashore.
Long Beach handled 901,846 TEUs in August, with 440,318 loaded imports and 95,960 loaded exports; empties climbed to 365,567 TEUs. Year to date, throughput is nearing 6.6 million TEUs, up roughly 8% from the same stretch of 2024, underscoring how the ceasefire window helped anchor an early peak. For drayage carriers, those numbers point to more dual transactions and a busier empty‑reposition market — especially around terminals that lean on export backhauls.
Port leaders are already cautioning that this momentum is policy‑driven, not structural. The “pause in tariffs” helped retailers lock in lower‑cost product that is now hitting the docks, but the port’s Supply Chain Information Highway projects a peak season that merely matches last year, not exceeds it. That nuance matters for trucking fleets deciding how aggressively to add drivers or lease equipment for Q4.
What it means on the street: expect appointment slots to tighten most in the late afternoon and weekend windows as warehouses stretch receiving hours to digest the wave. Empties up nearly 4% in August signal elevated turn‑in and reposition activity; dispatchers can reduce bobtail miles by pairing empty returns with import picks at neighboring terminals and by chasing dual transactions where gate rules allow. Carriers with flexible linehaul to Inland Empire DCs should also plan for more split moves as facilities stage inbound pallets for later putaway.
Pricing clarity is still elusive. While the tariff ceasefire fueled the latest inflow, officials emphasize “shifting trade policies” continue to dictate order timing. Translation for truckers: treat September and October volume as choppy rather than linear, build buffers into dwell‑time assumptions, and keep a close eye on terminal advisories for pop‑up Saturday or night gates that can improve turn times without sacrificing driver HOS.
The bottom line for the trucking sector: the ceasefire‑powered bump is real, but port guidance suggests a measured peak. Use the current surge to optimize turns and customer service — not to overextend capacity — and stay nimble as trade policy headlines continue to set the rhythm of San Pedro Bay freight.
Sources: FreightWaves, gCaptain, MyNewsLA
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