Port of Los Angeles (Port of LA) cargo volume increased compared to the previous year for the third consecutive month in October.

The port — the busiest seaport in the Western Hemisphere — processed 725,775 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in October, a 7% improvement compared to last year.

Month-on-month, however, this is slightly lower than the 748,440 TEUs that the port handled in September, which was also up 5.4% year-on-year.

"Our terminal operators, labour and other stakeholders have worked hard to earn cargo market share back over the last three months," said Gene Seroka, executive director at Port of LA.

"Additionally, November is also shaping up to be a strong month as we see a final holiday push and warehouse replenishment," he added.

Seroka also announced the return of Zim Integrated Shipping Services (ZIM), relaunching an express service from South China direct to Los Angeles.

"We're pleased to welcome back ZIM and its eCommerce Express service back to the Port of Los Angeles," Seroka said.

"This is the fastest, most efficient route for trade with Asia," he added.

October 2023 loaded imports landed at 372,455 TEUs, an increase of 11% compared to the previous year.

Loaded exports came in at 121,277 TEUs, an increase of 35% compared to 2022. Empty containers totalled 232,043 TEUs, an 8% decline compared to last year.

Ten months into 2023, the Port has processed 7,123,900 TEUs, 16.6% less than the same period last year.