October Port Container Volume Keeps Strong Pace
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U.S. ports continued to report strong year-over-year gains for cargo handling in October.
The Port of Los Angeles processed 905,026 20-foot equivalent units, a 25% jump from 725,775 handled a year earlier. It was the first time in the history of the port that containers exceeded 900,000 for four consecutive months. This year is tracking 19% ahead of 2023 at 8,491,420 containers.
“These robust, sustained volumes will likely continue in the coming months with strong consumer spending, an early Lunar New Year, importer concerns about unresolved East Coast labor issues and the possibility of new tariffs next year that could drive up shipping costs,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said. “I’m grateful to our dockworkers, truckers, terminal operators and others who handle these record levels of cargo every day. They have done it with speed, efficiency and without a single ship backed up at sea.”
The Port of Long Beach achieved its strongest month ever, with container volume increasing 30.7% to 987,191 from 755,150. The port attributed the results to brisk demand for holiday goods and delayed containership arrivals caused by a traffic incident that affected some terminal operations at the end of September. It has moved 20.2% more containers compared with 2023.
OCTOBER 2023 RESULTS: West Coast Ports See Rebound in Container Volumes
Seroka and Cordero
“We appreciate the hard work of our waterfront workforce and terminal operators as they continue to move cargo at a record-setting pace by moving nearly 1 million TEUs without congestion or backlogs,” Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero said. “We anticipate a continued influx of cargo due to robust consumer demand, concerns about potential tariffs and ongoing labor negotiations at ports on the East and Gulf coasts.”
The Northwest Seaport Alliance noted that combined container volumes from the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., decreased 0.5% year over year to 273,355 from 274,626. International container volume increased 1.7% over the same month in 2023, but domestic cargo fell 7.7%.
The Port of Oakland posted an 8.4% increase to 193,577 containers from 178,627 and noted that indicators are pointing to a healthy recovery, including loaded import cargo trending toward pre-pandemic levels. Loaded imports reached their 12th straight month of growth, but exports have been declining over the past decade.
Brandes
“This steady increase in import volume in 2024 is an encouraging trend,” Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes said. “We are also seeing a rise in U.S. agricultural exports through Oakland. Thanks to refrigerated warehousing on port property near the maritime terminals and convenient truck and rail access, we are well-positioned to continue to grow ag export cargo volume through the Oakland Seaport.”
The Georgia Ports Authority said container volume increased 10% to 494,261 TEUs from 449,000, marking the third-busiest October for the port after 2021 and 2022. Record trade through the Appalachian Regional Port helped boost the performance with 3,666 rail lifts.
Lynch
“Despite the cargo increases this year, many customers continue to divert to the U.S. West Coast while the contract negotiations are ongoing,” Georgia Ports President Griff Lynch said.
The Environmental Protection Agency awarded GPA a Clean Ports Program grant to implement electrification infrastructure. The $46 million grant is intended to expand the capability of ships at berth to plug into shore power and turn off auxiliary-powered diesel engines. It also covers replacement of diesel terminal tractors with electric terminal tractors and electric charging.
Melvin
The South Carolina Ports Authority reported that volume decreased 11% to 209,107 TEUs from 235,006. The port is undergoing rail expansion to support growth in the Southeast. The ongoing construction of the Navy Base Intermodal Facility and expansion of Inland Port Greer are key projects.
“We are preparing for the long term to support our customers’ investments in our port market while consistently delivering reliable, efficient port service,” SC Ports President Barbara Melvin said. “As a maritime community, we deliver world-class service to our customers every day, ensuring fluidity in their supply chains and success for their businesses.”
Port Houston, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Port of Virginia did not have data available.
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