The Port of Los Angeles reported its best single month in its history. In a media briefing, port executive director Gene Seroka announced the port processed 1,042,652 TEUs, 23k TEUs more than the July 2025 record.

Today's trade flows resemble a windy waterpark slide more than the traditional waterway superhighway. The three-dimensional chess game being played by ocean carriers and tankers has delivered big bucks in day rates, container rates, and surcharges. But there is a group of winners not currently being highlighted.

Strait of Hormuz transit data for the month of September reveals how the oil and container markets are tactically adjusting to the U.S./Israel war on Iran.

The world of trade is led by optimists, and the data shows the resilience of the strategies these stewards of trade have developed and deployed.