Despite the Port of Los Angeles reporting that August was its strongest month for container volumes since October 2006, the Port of Long Beach posted an 8.9 percent year-over-year drop in container volumes for the month to 641,029 TEUs.
Although the Port of Los Angeles experienced a very strong month for container throughput in August, the Port of Long Beach reported a year-over-year decline in box volumes for the month.
The Port of Los Angeles handled 798,932 TEUs of containerized cargo in August, its strongest month since October 2006 when it handled 800,063 TEUs, the port said.
For the first eight months of 2016, the port handled 5.62 million TEUs, a 4.3 percent increase from the first eight months of 2015.
“Strong numbers on both our import and export cargo during the industry’s peak season indicates confidence in our ability to meet supply chain expectations,” said Gene Seroka , the executive director of the port. “While our industry is currently facing many challenges, the Port of Los Angeles remains committed to handling the nation’s cargo with speed, efficiency and first-class service.”
In August, loaded imports totaled 411,366 TEUs and loaded exports reached 153,005 TEUs, year-over-year increases of 0.9 percent and 6.3 percent, respectively.
Combined, total loaded volumes during the month grew 2.3 percent from August 2015 to 564,271 TEUs.
With a slight increase in empty containers of 0.2 percent, overall August volumes totaled 798,932 TEUs, an increase of 1.6 percent compared to August 2015.
Meanwhile, the Port of Long Beach reported its terminals moved 641,029 TEUs in August, an 8.9 percent decline from August 2015.
Although imports for the month fell 10.2 percent year-over-year to 321,625 TEUs, exports increased 14.8 percent year-over-year to 159,247 TEUs. Empties accounted for 160,157 TEUs, a 22.5 percent decline from August 2015.
“Currently, shipping lines are continuing to consolidate service routes to optimize vessel utilization during the holiday peak season and in anticipation of the new, planned ocean carrier alliances,” the Port of Long Beach said. “Other factors impacting port container volumes are domestic retail inventories that remain high even as strong consumer spending continues to power the nation’s economy.”
The Port of Long Beach said August volumes were not impacted by Hanjin Shipping filing for court receivership Aug. 31.
Port of Los Angeles reports busiest month since 2006
