US Ports Post More Year-Over-Year Increases for November
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U.S. ports are reporting strong year-over-year results as they near the end of 2024, with overall increases for November.
The Port of Los Angeles processed 884,315 20-foot-equivalent units (TEUs), a 16% increase from 763,261 handled a year earlier. The port is also tracking 19% ahead of 2023 year to date at 9,375,735 containers. It is now on pace to exceed 10 million container units for the year. That has only happened one other time in the port’s century-plus history.
“It’s a remarkable milestone that we owe to the collective efforts of our partners,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “The women and men of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, our trucking community, terminal operators, rail partners and many others whose efforts continue to elevate the Port of Los Angeles to new heights.”
The Port of Long Beach achieved its busiest November ever by increasing 20.9% to 884,154 containers from 731,033 last year. This surpasses the previous record for the month set in November 2020. The port credited the results to strong cargo demand facing minimal congestion or other disruptions. It has moved 20.2% more containers compared with 2023.
“Imports are being driven by strong consumer demand while retailers continue to move cargo here out of concern for labor negotiations at ports on the East and Gulf coasts,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “We will continue to handle this influx of cargo smoothly and with zero disruptions through the end of 2024.”
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The Northwest Seaport Alliance noted that combined container volumes from the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., increased 25.7% year over year to 290,210 from 230,787. The performance for the month was primarily driven by international container volumes increasing 32.9% year over year, while domestic cargo fell 1.2%.
The South Carolina Ports Authority reported that volume increased 5% to 211,443 TEUs from 201,314. The port also gave a brief update on its ongoing initiative to enhance intermodal connections. It noted that over 9,000 feet of new rail has already been placed to accommodate longer cargo trains and the container yard has been expanded to double its cargo capacity.
“Having this rail connection to the No. 8 container port in the country is a tremendous benefit for port-dependent businesses, and we continue to invest in our operations to deliver excellent service,” SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin said. “We are making strategic investments in rail-supported infrastructure to support their growth in the Southeast.”
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Port Houston posted a volume increase of 24% year over year to 369,361 containers from 297,622. The port noted that loaded imports increased due to consumer goods and machinery cargo, while loaded exports grew in large part due to robust resin shipments. This marks the port’s highest monthly containerized cargo volume for the year. Container volume for the first 11 months rose 9% to 3,799,573.
“This year has been nothing short of exceptional,” Port Houston CEO Charlie Jenkins said. “Our record-breaking volumes speak to the trust our customers place in us, the dedication of our team, and our strategic investments to stay ahead of industry needs. The momentum we’ve built in 2024 lays the groundwork for continued growth next year and beyond.”
The Port of Oakland, Georgia Ports Authority, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Port of Virginia did not have data available.
