Long Beach sets September container record as intermodal rail volume jumps

· Logistics · United States

The Port of Long Beach set an all-time monthly cargo record in September, with volume approaching 1 million containers, as shippers contended with soaring diesel costs. The milestone came in the same period that U.S. intermodal rail volumes continued to run strong, with the latest traffic data showing intermodal up about 10%. Together the two data points suggest a West Coast import surge feeding inland rail networks. The items do not break out Long Beach's exact September figure or its comparison to earlier records. For logistics operators, the pairing signals elevated box volumes at a major gateway and rising reliance on rail to move those boxes inland during a period of high fuel prices.

Why it matters：Rising West Coast box volumes and double-digit intermodal growth point to a freight mix shift that affects port capacity, rail scheduling and drayage demand across the U.S. supply chain.

Key points

  • Long Beach's September volume neared 1 million containers, an all-time monthly record for the port.
  • U.S. intermodal rail traffic was about 10% better in the latest count.
  • The items cite soaring diesel costs as context for shipper behavior.

Sources (original reporting)

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