Why are dwell times at LA Port exceeding industry standards despite record throughput?

The article indicates that 39.8% of import containers wait nine or more days for on-dock intermodal rail service at LA Port, compared to a four-day standard. This is driven by the sheer volume of imports (538,620 loaded TEUs in October, up 25% year-over-year) overwhelming rail capacity, particularly BNSF connections. The port's five-month processing of nearly 5 million TEUs has created a structural capacity constraint on the rail side, not the port itself.

What's driving the record import volumes if exports are declining?

According to Port Executive Director Gene Seroka, elevated imports are driven by continued consumer spending, retailers replenishing inventories ahead of potential trade policy changes, and challenges at other global shipping routes diverting cargo to LA. The article notes that imports rose 30% above the port's five-year October average, while exports fell 7% year-over-year, indicating a pronounced import-focused trade pattern.

Is this record activity sustainable, or is it a temporary peak season phenomenon?

The article suggests this is more than typical peak season: LA Port has reached 1 million TEUs three times in 2026 (a first), and processed 9.1 million TEUs through October, up 5% from 2025. However, Seroka's comments about trade policy changes and global route disruptions suggest some factors may be temporary. The structural 25% import surge and persistent dwell times indicate sustained elevated demand rather than a one-month spike.

How are empty container repositioning records affecting supply chain operations?

Empty TEU handling hit a monthly record of 373,271 units in October, the second consecutive monthly record. The article notes ocean carriers are repositioning containers to Asia to support additional import shipments. This high empty flow increases port congestion, competes for rail capacity with loaded containers, and signals carriers' commitment to maintaining import capacity, which may constrain export equipment availability.

What should shippers do to mitigate dwell time risks at LA Port?

Given that 39.8% of import containers face 9+ day dwell times and the port's five-month throughput is at record levels, shippers should consider booking rail service further in advance, diversifying to ports with lower dwell (Long Beach reports 30.2%), or evaluating air freight for time-sensitive cargo. The article implies capacity constraints will persist given sustained demand levels, making proactive planning essential.

Shipping & Freight

High Impact

LA Port Hits Record 1M TEU October: Dwell Times Spike

Nov 13, 2026

Get tomorrow's supply chain signal

Daily supply-chain brief. Free, unsubscribe anytime.

The signal

The Port of Los Angeles achieved historic performance in October 2026, handling 1,026,872 TEUs and surpassing the 1-million-unit threshold for the second consecutive month. This milestone reflects unprecedented demand driven by consumer spending, retail inventory replenishment, and geopolitical trade dynamics. However, the article reveals a critical operational challenge: dwell times have become problematic, with 39.8% of import containers waiting nine or more days for on-dock intermodal rail service, well above the four-day industry standard. The surge is notably unbalanced.

Loaded imports rose 25% year-over-year to 538,620 TEUs, while loaded exports fell 7% to 114,981 TEUs, reflecting a structural trade imbalance. Empty container repositioning to Asia reached record levels (373,271 TEUs), indicating carrier focus on supporting import flows rather than balanced two-way trade. This asymmetry strains rail connectivity and yard capacity, creating bottlenecks that compound operational complexity across the supply chain. For supply chain professionals, this situation presents both opportunity and risk.

While LA Port offers speed and reliability for Asia-bound imports, congestion is eroding those advantages. Shippers must reassess dwell mitigation strategies, rail booking windows, and contingency plans for equipment repositioning. The trend suggests sustained elevated activity through the remainder of 2026, requiring proactive capacity planning and modal diversification.

#supply-chain-congestion

#inventory-replenishment

Frequently Asked Questions

What This Means for Your Supply Chain

Simulation Suggestion

this month

What if BNSF rail capacity remains constrained for six more months?

Simulate the impact of sustained elevated dwell times at LA Port if rail partner BNSF cannot increase on-dock intermodal capacity beyond current levels. Model how extended dwell (9+ days) affects inventory carrying costs, just-in-time supply chain disruptions, and shipper routing decisions across Q1 2027.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

strategic

What if trade policy shifts reduce import demand by 15% in Q1 2027?

Model demand normalization if anticipated trade policy changes materialize and imported consumer goods volumes decline from current elevated levels. Calculate how reduced import activity would affect shipper utilization costs, carrier pricing power, and port revenue, and determine when dwell times might normalize.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

this month

What if Long Beach Port offers dwell incentives to capture LA diverted cargo?

Simulate shipper behavior if Long Beach Port (currently at 30.2% dwell vs LA's 39.8%) launches promotional pricing or service level guarantees to attract diversion from LA Port. Model the impact on volumes, utilization, and competitive dynamics between the two adjacent ports through 2027.

Run this scenario

Go deeper:

Supply Chain Simulation: How It Works and How to Choose Software

What discrete-event, agent-based, and Monte Carlo simulation actually do, how to evaluate simulation software, and what it costs.

Shipping & FreightHigh Impact

Port of LA Hits 1M TEU for Second Month, Sets Historic Record

Nov 13, 2026

Shipping & FreightHigh Impact

LA Port Breaks 118-Year Record with 1M+ TEU September Surge

Oct 12, 2026

Trade Policy & TariffsHigh Impact

Port of LA hits record June as tariff changes loom