The Port of Los Angeles handled a total of 8,856,782 TEUs in 2016, setting a new record for annual cargo volumes at any port in the Western Hemisphere.

According to the port, the cargo volume in 2016 was 8.5% higher than that of 2015.

“The Port of L.A. is America’s Port – and we’re breaking records because we understand the importance of innovating and collaborating to move our economy forward,” said Eric Garcetti, mayor of Los Angeles. “We have seen incredible progress over the last two years, and it speaks to the hard work and partnership between the city, business leaders, and the workers who keep our port running smoothly every day.”

The previous record was also set by the Port of L.A., when it handled 8,469,853 TEUs in 2006.

“I salute our industry stakeholders and thank Mayor Garcetti and the policymakers and agencies at the state and federal level that have supported our various supply chain optimization initiatives over the past year,” said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. “To handle this much volume with minimal issues is an extraordinary accomplishment and demonstrates our capability-building efforts here in the San Pedro Bay complex.”

The port handled 796,536 TEUs in December 2016, a 27% year-on-year growth. This was the busiest December and fourth quarter in its 110-year history, according to the Port of Los Angeles.