Los Angeles Port Tracker
Port of Los Angeles · USA · UN/LOCODE USLAX
Live LA and Long Beach port congestion tracker. Vessel wait times for the San Pedro Bay complex — entry point for 40% of US container imports. Updated every 5 minutes from AIS.
About Port of Los Angeles
Port of Los Angeles is the busiest container port in the Western Hemisphere, handling over 10 million TEUs annually alongside the adjacent Port of Long Beach. Together they form the San Pedro Bay port complex — the entry point for roughly 40% of all US container imports.
Strengths
- Largest container port complex in the Western Hemisphere, handling ~40% of all US container imports
- Multiple transcontinental rail connections via the Alameda Corridor with direct links to US inland hubs
- Large, mature logistics ecosystem: truckers, chassis providers, warehouses, and 3PLs serving the port complex
- Proximity to the Los Angeles–Inland Empire distribution hub, the largest logistics market in North America
Operational challenges
- ILWU (longshoreman union) contract disputes have historically caused periodic operational disruptions
- Chassis availability is a persistent bottleneck independent of vessel volumes — a major operational risk
- California air quality regulations restrict truck operating hours and affect drayage capacity
- Trans-Pacific import surges — especially pre-holiday season — routinely stress terminal capacity
Frequently asked questions about Port of Los Angeles
Does PortInsight cover Long Beach port as well as Los Angeles?
Yes. PortInsight monitors the entire San Pedro Bay port complex as a single zone, which includes both the Port of Los Angeles (USLAX) and the Port of Long Beach. Together they handle approximately 40% of all US container imports and operate as a combined gateway for Trans-Pacific trade.
What causes LA and Long Beach port congestion?
San Pedro Bay congestion is typically driven by import surges from Asia (Trans-Pacific sailings arrive predominantly Monday–Wednesday), chassis availability, rail network capacity at the Alameda Corridor, and trucker appointment availability at terminals.
What is the current vessel waiting time at Los Angeles port?
Current vessel waiting times for the San Pedro Bay complex are tracked live on PortInsight.io. At moderate congestion levels, container ships typically wait 24–72 hours. During import surges, wait times can extend significantly.