After a slow start, the Port of Los Angeles (Port of LA) said it finished 2023 with five months of year-on-year growth, processing 8.6 million container units last year.

North America's busiest port closed out 2023 on a strong note, handling 747,335 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in December, 2.5% more than during the same period in 2022.

Port of LA noted that December was the fifth consecutive month of year-over-year gains.

Month-on-month, however, this is slightly lower than the 763,262 TEUs recorded in November, which is a 19% improvement compared to the same prior period in 2022.

 [Source: Port of Los Angeles]

Year-on-year volume lower than 2022

On a full-year basis, however, Port of LA handled 8,634,497 TEUs in total, or about 13% less than the prior year.

The port noted that trade declined in most categories at ports worldwide yet it retained its position as the nation’s busiest container port for the 24th consecutive year.

"In 2024, our sights are set on community investment, sustainability progress and capturing additional market share," said Gene Seroka, executive director at the Port of Los Angeles.

"To drive cargo, we're investing in a 10-year, US$2 billion capital improvement program. We'll also focus on secure technology enhancements to improve efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint," he added.

December 2023 saw loaded imports landed at 369,477 TEUs, an increase of 5% compared to the previous year.

Loaded exports came in at 121,575 TEUs, an increase of 26% compared to 2022.

Meanwhile, empty containers totalled 256,283 TEUs, an 8.5% decrease compared to the same period the year prior.