The Port of Los Angeles saw its November volume increase by 22% year-on-year (YoY) as a recovery in consumer spending combines with retailers replenishing their inventories, according to its latest financial statistics.
The Port processed 889,746 TEU in November and described the surge in recent months as “unprecedented”.
Gene Seroka, the Port’s Executive Director, said, “Since August, monthly cargo volume has averaged almost 930,000 TEU.
“It’s unusual to see this kind of import activity this late in the year. But 2020 has been anything but normal.
“With consumers continuing to stay at home and purchase goods rather than services, we expect robust activity on our docks to continue for at least several months.”
Seroka said the Port had implemented numerous measures to manage the flow of cargo, such as new data tools.
“To help stakeholders manage the cargo influx, the Port has introduced new data tools for asset planning, provided additional land for chassis and containers, and is working with cargo owners large and small to prioritise their shipments.”
Year to date, overall cargo volume is down 3% YoY. The first five months of 2020 saw cargo plummet nearly 19% YoY but imports from Asia have been moving at record pace.
November loaded imports reached 464,820 TEU compared to compared to 371,350 TEU in November 2019. Loaded exports decreased 5.5% to 130,917 TEU. Empty containers, heavily in demand in Asia, increased 34.2% compared to November 2019, reaching 294,010 TEU.
