WASHINGTON: Port of Los Angeles, the busiest port in the US, has had its best July in the port’s 110-year history, with container volumes climbing by 16% compared to July 2016 volumes to 796,804 TEUs. The port is now 9.5% ahead of 2016 figures, when the Port of Los Angeles handled a record-breaking 8.8 million TEUs. Seven months into 2017, port container volumes are July loaded imports increased 13% to 417,090 TEUs, while loaded exports rose 17% to 154,925 TEUs. Along with a 20% spike in empty containers, overall July container volumes were 796,804 TEUs. Previously, the strongest July in Port history was 2006, when 761,326 TEUs moved through the port’s terminals. Through July, total 2017 cargo volumes are 5,279,352 TEUs, an increase of 9.5% compared to the same period in 2016.
The Port of Los Angeles is North America’s leading seaport by container volume and cargo value, the Port of Los Angeles facilitated $272 billion in trade during 2016. Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, said: “As we strive to maintain our competitive edge with these record volumes, it’s important to acknowledge the Pacific Maritime Association and the good men and women of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union who just extended their contract with terminal operators until 2022. “The certainty that comes from this decision builds further long-term confidence in our supply chain as we continue to focus on superior infrastructure, innovative leadership and extraordinary customer service.” Evergreen Line’s Ever Sigma container ship discharged the 9 millionth TEU to pass through the Port of Los Angeles in the span of 12 months, setting a new annual record for the most container throughput of any port in the western hemisphere.
