Port of Los Angeles saw its cargo volumes drop in May due to the persisting impact of the coronavirus but it is anticipating improved conditions in the coming months.

America's busiest port moved 581,665 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in May, a 29.8% decrease compared to last year’s record-setting May.

Five months into 2020, overall cargo volumes have decreased by 18.6% compared to 2019. 

“Compared to last May’s historic volumes, the surge in cancelled sailings due to COVID-19 and the trade war, along with shifts in liner services, all contributed to significantly softer volumes,” said Gene Seroka, Port of Los Angeles executive director.

“As the US economy begins to recover, we expect fewer cancelled sailings and an uptick in cargo compared to previous months. We continue to invest through this global economic downturn in the infrastructure and technology that will assist us in driving our competitive advantage now and in the future,” he added.

May loaded imports decreased 28.4% to 306,323 TEUs compared to the previous year. Loaded exports dropped 37.6% to 104,382 TEUs.

Meanwhile, empty containers declined 26.8% to 170,960 TEUs. In total, May volumes totalled 581,665 TEUs.

The Port of Los Angeles noted that it remains open with all terminals operational during the COVID-19 pandemic.

North America’s leading seaport by container volume and cargo value, the Port of Los Angeles facilitated US$276 billion in trade during 2019.