Ports Briefs: POLA Cargo Increases and Trade Up at POLB for November

SAN PEDRO — For the fourth consecutive month, Port of Los Angeles cargo volume increased compared to the previous year. The port processed 763,262 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in November, a 19% improvement compared to last year. 

“Our year-end growth reflects the strength of the U.S. economy powered by the American consumer,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said at a media briefing. “Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales were strong, and the forecast for overall holiday sales is 3 to 4% above last year, another high mark.  

“Thanks to the outstanding efforts of our dockworkers and other stakeholders, we’ve gained market share in recent months,” Seroka added. “We’ll continue those efforts into 2024 as we work toward maximizing our operational efficiencies and decarbonizing our port complex.”

WATCH BRIEFING HERE

November 2023 loaded imports landed at 384,619 TEUs, an increase of 25% compared to the previous year. Loaded exports came in at 111,755 TEUs, an increase of 24% compared to 2022. Empty containers totaled 266,888 TEUs, a 10% increase compared to last year.

Eleven months into 2023, the port has processed 7,887,162 TEUs, 14% less than the same period last year. Current and historical cargo data, including fiscal year-end totals, are available here.

—  And trade is up in November at Port of Long Beach

Shippers continued to reposition cargo back to West Coast seaports in November, lifting trade for a third consecutive month at the Port of Long Beach.

Dockworkers and terminal operators moved 731,033 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month, a 24.2% increase from November 2022. Imports rose 37% to 355,339 TEUs and exports declined 13% to 108,798 TEUs. Empty containers moved through the port were up 30.6% to 266,896 TEUs.

“We are recapturing market share, online shopping is on the rise and retailers are keeping the shelves stocked to meet rising consumer demand for the holidays,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “We remain optimistic as cargo returns to this critical gateway for trans-Pacific trade.”

The Port has moved 7,308,848 TEUs during the first 11 months of 2023, down 14.9% from the same period last year. Cargo flows this year have been approximately on pace with pre-pandemic levels, when the Port of Long Beach moved more than 6.96 million TEUs through November 2019.