The Port of Los Angeles (Port of LA) handled 743,417 container units in March, a 19% increase over the previous year. This marks the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year growth at the nation's busiest port.

For the first quarter ending March 31, the port handled 2,380,503 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) across Los Angeles marine terminals — nearly 30% more than in 2023.

The port said in a statement that it was among its best first quarter starts, behind only the pandemic import surge in 2021 and 2022.

'Moving into April and the second quarter, I expect robust cargo flow to continue here," said Gene Seroka, executive director at the Port of Los Angeles.

"A strong job market and continued consumer spending, along with our ability to handle additional volume, will help drive cargo to Los Angeles in the coming months," he added.

March 2024 saw 379,542 TEUs of loaded imports, up 19% from the previous year. Loaded exports reached 144,718 TEUs, up 47% from last year. It was the Port’s best export month since January 2020 and marked 10 consecutive months of year-over-year export gains.

Port of LA also processed 219,158 empty containers, up 7% over 2023.