Terminals at the Port of Los Angeles “continue to demonstrate progress in moving larger container volumes per ship call,” according to Executive Director Gene Seroka.
The Southern California ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach showed strong growth in container volumes in January.
The Port of Los Angeles handled 704,398 TEUs in January 2016, an increase of 33 percent compared to January 2015. It was the busiest January in the port’s 109-year history, but the big increase also reflects the slowdown in cargo volumes last year when vessel congestion snarled operations at West Coast ports during contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and employers.
“Record January volumes is a very encouraging way to start 2016, particularly after the slow start that West Coast ports experienced last year,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “As cargo owners replenish their inventories after the holiday season, our terminals and supply chain partners continue to demonstrate progress in moving larger container volumes per ship call, and we are grateful for the work they’ve done in recent months to increase supply chain efficiencies and optimization.”
In the Los Angeles port, January 2016 loaded inbound boxes surged 41.6 percent to 367,208 TEUs compared to the previous year. Exports increased 1.5 percent to 126,240 TEUs in January, while empty containers increased 44 percent to 210,949 TEUs
The Port of Long Beach kicked off the New Year by logging its seventh straight month of cargo increases, handling 536,188 TEUs, a 24.8 percent jump in container shipments over the same month last year. Imports were up 30.3 percent to 278,491 TEUs, and exports saw an increase of 8.4 percent to 106,739 TEUs. Empty containers rose 28.6 percent to 150,958 TEUs.
“We are encouraged by the strong start to the year, which stands in stark contrast to the congestion we faced a year ago,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Jon Slangerup.
Southern California ports post strong January volumes
