Ports Briefs: POLA and POLB Cargo

POLA Cargo Volume Increases for Third Consecutive Month

SAN PEDRO — For the third consecutive month, Port of Los Angeles cargo volume increased compared to the previous year. The port processed 725,775 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in October, a 7% improvement compared to last year.

“Our terminal operators, labor and other stakeholders have worked hard to earn cargo market share back over the last three months,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “Additionally, November is also shaping up to be a strong month as we see a final holiday push and warehouse replenishment.”

Seroka also announced the return of Zim Integrated Shipping Services, relaunching an express service from South China direct to Los Angeles.

WATCH BRIEFING HERE

October 2023 loaded imports landed at 372,455 TEUs, an increase of 11% compared to the previous year. Loaded exports came in at 121,277 TEUs, an increase of 35% compared to 2022. Empty containers totaled 232,043 TEUs, an 8% decline compared to last year.

Ten months into 2023, the port has processed 7,123,900 TEUs, 16.6% less than the same period last year. Current and historical cargo data, including fiscal year-end totals, are available here.

POLB Cargo Volume Rises 

LONG BEACH — Cargo moving through the Port of Long Beach in October rose for a second consecutive month amid preparations for the upcoming holiday shopping season and ongoing efforts to recapture market share.

Dockworkers and terminal operators moved 755,150 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month, up 14.7% from October 2022. Imports increased 23.6% to 363,300 TEUs and exports decreased 24.8% to 90,073 TEUs. Empty containers moved through the port grew 23.3% to 301,777 TEUs.

“Cargo is rebounding and we are continuing to collaborate with our industry partners to recapture market share and invest in infrastructure that will position us for future growth,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “We are anticipating moderate growth through the rest of the year as retailers continue to stock shelves for the winter holidays.”

The Port has moved 6,577,815 TEUs during the first 10 months of 2023, down 17.8% from the same period last year. Cargo flows this year have been on pace with pre-pandemic levels, when the Port of Long Beach moved more than 6.36 million TEUs through October 2019.