Port of New York and New Jersey Claims 'Busiest Port' Title in August

The numbers are in. The Port of New York and New Jersey has officially surpassed the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to become the top container port in the country… at least in August.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said the seaport moved 843,191 TEUs last month, marking the busiest August in the port’s history. The month also marked more than two years of consecutive monthly record-high activity, with cargo growth increases reported now for 25 consecutive months. Looking at the port’s all-time records, August 2022 now ranks as 4th.

August 2022 cargo volume increased by 24.1 percent compared to pre-pandemic in August 2019 and 8.6 percent compared to July 2022, when the seaport handled 776,167 TEUs.

For comparison, the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest container port in the U.S. by pretty much all accounts, handled 806,000 TEUs in August, slightly less than its San Pedro Bay neighbor, the Port of Long Beach, which handled 806,940 TEUs last month. Both ports saw imports decline year-over-year as cargo has shifted to East and Gulf Coast ports.

Similar to New York/New Jersey, the Port of Savannah and Port of Houston have benefited from the diversion, with all three reporting record months in August.