Los Angeles Cargo Volume Dips 1.5%
Los Angeles, the nation’s largest port, reported that freight handled fell 1.5% last month compared with 2014, as imports dipped slightly.
The results followed three days after neighboring Long Beach, California, the second-largest U.S. port, also announced a drop in imports.
Los Angeles totaled 704,588 industry-standard 20-foot container units, known as TEUs, including a drop of 3.3% in imports to 358,601 TEUs. At Long Beach, imports dropped 0.8% to 307,995 TEUs.
Both ports observed that October results were an indicator of solid volumes and an improving market after disruptions and delays earlier this year.
“This October’s volumes were slightly less than last October,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said. “However, the past few months of volumes around and above the 700,000 TEU range show that our terminals, labor and supply chain partners are adjusting to the cargo surges and other fluctuations that come with the larger vessels that are now calling in L.A. — and that’s a good sign.”
At Long Beach, the total was the best October in eight years as shipments rose 6.3%, thanks in part to a 21% increase in empty containers moved through the port.
“Volume is reaching pre-recession levels of trade and demonstrating the ability of Long Beach industry stakeholders to handle high amounts of cargo,” a Nov. 9 statement said.
Los Angeles exports fell 15%, and empty moves rose 13%.
