In 2025, container volumes highlighted how US trade is evolving, revealing the concentration of cargo, the payoff from infrastructure investments, and the growing importance of resilience.
While global shipping faced continued geopolitical risk, labour sensitivity, and schedule volatility, the nation’s leading ports proved their value by moving boxes efficiently and at scale.
Early 2025 data highlighted trends in US container throughput, providing a snapshot of performance and growth across the nation’s major ports through the first half of the year.
Based on official port authority statistics and year-to-date reporting through October/November 2025, the following are the top five US ports by TEU throughput in 2025.
1. Port of Los Angeles – The nation’s primary container gateway
The Port of Los Angeles reaffirmed its status as the busiest US container port, handling approximately 9.44 million TEUs in 2025, and is on track to surpass 10 million TEUs again in 2025.
The port has shown both scale and operational consistency, absorbing strong import volumes without the congestion seen earlier in the decade, thanks to disciplined terminal performance.
Los Angeles remains the bellwether for US containerised trade, and when it’s moving smoothly, the national supply chain benefits.
2. Port of Long Beach – Scale, speed, and sustainability
Right behind Los Angeles, the Port of Long Beach has handled 8.23 million TEUs in 2025, the port combined scale with speed, posting some of its strongest first-half volumes on record.
This milestone comes as the port navigated significant leadership transitions, including the appointment of longtime executive Dr Noel Hacegaba as incoming CEO and other senior roles designed to sustain operational momentum into 2026.
Together, Los Angeles and Long Beach remain the most powerful container gateway complex in North America.
3. Port of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) – The East Coast powerhouse
The Port of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) firmly held its title as the busiest container port on the East Coast, surpassing 7.5 million TEUs as of October 2025.
PANYNJ’s strong 2025 throughput was supported by 5G terminal upgrades, expanded EV truck charging at Port Newark, and long-term Maersk lease extensions at APM Terminals Elizabeth, boosting efficiency and capacity.
With deepwater access, robust rail connections, and proximity to the nation’s largest consumer market, PANYNJ continues to punch at a global-hub weight class.
4. Port of Savannah – Growth with purpose
The Port of Savannah moved approximately 4.80 million TEUs in 2025, supported by consistent terminal productivity and unmatched speed to inland markets.
This was supported by strategic developments, including faster transit times for Indian cargo, the addition of new electric ship-to-shore cranes to boost productivity, and the development of nearby cold-storage facilities to strengthen refrigerated supply chains.
For cargo owners prioritising reliability, Savannah is increasingly serving as a primary port of call rather than a secondary option.
5. Port of Houston – The Gulf Coast anchor
Rounding out the top five, the Port of Houston maintained its position as the leading Gulf Coast container port, handling 3.97 million TEUs in 2025, a 5 per cent year-to-date increase that keeps the port on track for another record container year.
Houston’s strength lies in balance: imports, exports, petrochemical cargo, and growing container demand tied to Texas’ population and manufacturing base.
Strategic upgrades continue to reinforce its gateway role. Port Houston secured $214 million in federal funding for channel deepening, completed a historic Houston Ship Channel expansion, and DCLI opened a dedicated chassis area, boosting landside efficiency and cargo throughput.
| Top US ports by TEU: 2025 | TEUs (millions) |
|---|---|
| Port of Los Angeles | 9.44 |
| Port of Long Beach | 8.23 |
| Port of New York/New Jersey | 7.50 |
| Port of Savannah | 4.80 |
| Port Houston | 3.97 |
In 2025, US ports demonstrated scale, resilience, and the payoff of infrastructure investment. From Los Angeles to Houston, modernised channels, terminals, and landside operations enabled efficient cargo flows, supporting both domestic and global trade while positioning the supply chain for continued growth.
