The Port of Los Angeles (Port of LA) signalled continued optimism for the growth of cargo volumes at North America's busiest cargo port.

The port processed 752,893 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in May, 3% lower than last May. However, the overall cargo volume remains 18% ahead of 2023 after five months.

"We continue our trend of strong, consistent volume that started at the beginning of the year," Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, told reporters at a media briefing.

"As we gear up for the second half of the year, our forecast indicates more robust activity on our docks throughout the summer," he added.

 [Source: Port of LA]

May 2024 loaded imports landed at 390,663 TEUs, a 4.5% decline compared to the previous year.

Loaded exports came in at 125,963 TEUs, an increase of 24% compared to last year.

Port of LA noted that May marked the 12th consecutive month of year-over-year export gains.

The Port processed 236,268 empty containers, a 12% decrease compared to 2023.

Seroka said he will be travelling to Taiwan and China next week for meetings related to increasing cargo volume and reducing the port's carbon footprint.

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will co-sponsor a China-U.S. Green Shipping Corridor in Shanghai, gathering with port leaders and other stakeholders to establish a global trade route to Southern California that uses low- and zero-carbon vessel fuels.