The Port of Los Angeles handled a record-breaking 939,600 TEU in July, a 37 per cent increase over the previous year.
The port said that July was the busiest in its 116-year history, as well as the busiest month in more than two years. The Port of Los Angeles is 18 per cent ahead of schedule for 2024 after seven months.
Port of Los Angeles Executive Director, Gene Seroka, said: “We’ve seen an influx of year-end holiday goods coming across our docks a bit earlier than usual to avoid any risk of delay later in the year.
“These goods – think toys, electronics and clothing – are arriving at the same time as more typical back-to-school, fall fashion and Halloween merchandise. An early peak season has helped to boost volumes here in Los Angeles.
“I’m grateful to our dedicated dockworkers, terminal operators, truck drivers, and all other stakeholders who work tirelessly every day to move all this cargo with remarkable speed and efficiency.”
READ: Port of Los Angeles nears 8 million TEU mark
Paul Bingham, an S&P Global Intelligence economist and data analyst, joined the Port’s media briefing.
Bingham addressed a number of supply chain challenges, including East Coast dockworker talks, Red Sea cargo diversions, and the risk of extra tariffs.
According to the port, July 2024 loaded imports reached 501,281 TEU, a 38 per cent increase over the previous year. Loaded exports totalled 114,889 TEU, a 4 per cent increase from the previous year. Los Angeles saw its 14th straight month of year-over-year (YoY) export improvements.
The port processed 323,431 empty containers, a 54 per cent increase from 2023, and transported 5.6 million TEU in the first seven months of 2024, representing an 18 per cent increase from 2023.
In May, the Port of Los Angeles handled 752,893 TEU, reflecting a decrease of 3 per cent from May 2023.
