Issue link: https://pma.uberflip.com/i/1544017
PACIFIC MARITIME ASSOCIATION 11 2 0 2 5 | A Y E A R I N R E V I E W Containers stacked at the Port of Oakland. The past year demonstrated both the resilience of West Coast ports and the scale of demand they must be prepared to handle. Tariffs contributed to volatility. Cargo volumes surged early in the year, fell sharply in late spring, and rebounded just as quickly by midsummer, making July one of the busiest months on record at the San Pedro Bay Port Complex. The Coast For the full year, the Port of Long Beach handled record cargo volumes and the Port of Los Angeles posted its third-highest total, keeping overall West Coast traffic in line with 2024. Across the region, all 29 West Coast ports managed volume swings without disruption or congestion, reflecting sustained investment in new cargo- handling technology and advanced skills training for the ILWU workforce. In addition, wages paid to the ILWU workforce in 2025 reached an all-time high of $2.5 billion. The question is no longer whether trade will grow; it is whether West Coast ports will be ready for it. With cargo volumes expected to climb steadily for decades, modernizing terminals now is critical to prevent future congestion, market-share loss, and missed economic opportunities. Expanding capacity, deploying advanced automation and zero-emissions equipment, and preparing the workforce for modern operations will ensure ports can handle growth while creating jobs and protecting the environment. '02/'03 '07/'08 '13/'14 '19/'20 '24/'25 '03 '08 '14 '20 '25 '03 Total Wages Paid (millions of dollars) 2025: $2.5 billion Benefits Costs - Total (millions of dollars) 2024/25: $1.74 billion '03 '08 '14 '20 '25 Container TEUs-Loaded (millions) 2025: 16,759,771 (excludes non-revenue cargo) 0 5 10 15 20 $0 $500 $1,000 $1,500 $2,000 $2,500 $0 $500 $1,000 $1,500 $2,000 $372,563 - Foremen $236,271 - Longshore $263,802 - Clerk '03 '08 '14 '20 '25 '03 '08 '14 '20 '25 '03 '08 '14 '20 '25 Registered Work Force (thousands) 2025: 15,759 Total Wages Paid (millions of dollars) 2025: $2.5 billion Average Annual Earnings (thousands of dollars) Fully registered workers paid 2,000 hours or more '03 '08 '14 '20 '25 Container TEUs-Loaded (millions) 2025: 16,759,771 (excludes non-revenue cargo) $100 $150 $200 $250 $300 $350 $400 0 5 10 15 20 0 5 10 15 20 $0 $500 $1,000 $1,500 $2,000 $2,500 '03 '08 '14 '20 '25 '03 Total Wages Paid (millions of dollars) 2025: $2.5 billion '03 '08 '14 '20 '25 Container TEUs-Loaded (millions) 2025: 16,759,771 (excludes non-revenue cargo) 0 5 10 15 20 $0 $500 $1,000 $1,500 $2,000 $2,500