July container volumes at the nation’s busiest port climbed by 16 percent compared to July 2016 volumes. 796,804 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) came through the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest July in the port’s 110-year history, the company said in its press release.
Seven months into 2017, Port container volumes are 9.5 percent ahead of 2016, when the Port of Los Angeles handled a record-breaking 8.8 million TEUs.
“As we strive to maintain our competitive edge with these record volumes, it’s important to acknowledge the Pacific Maritime Association and the good men and women of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union who just extended their contract with terminal operators until 2022,” said Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles. “The certainty that comes from this decision builds further long-term confidence in our supply chain as we continue to focus on superior infrastructure, innovative leadership and extraordinary customer service.”
July loaded imports increased 13 percent to 417,090 TEUs. Loaded exports rose 17 percent to 154,925 TEUs. Along with a 20 percent spike in empty containers, overall July container volumes were 796,804 TEUs. Previously, the strongest July in Port history was 2006, when 761,326 TEUs moved through the port’s terminals.
Through July, total 2017 cargo volumes are 5,279,352 TEUs, an increase of 9.5 percent compared to the same period in 2016. Current and past data container counts for the Port of Los Angeles may be found here.
The Port of Los Angeles is North America’s leading seaport by container volume and cargo value, the Port of Los Angeles facilitated $272 billion in trade during 2016. San Pedro Bay port complex operations and commerce facilitate one in nine jobs in the five-county Southern California region.