Shipping
PORT OF LA NOTES IMPROVED CARGO MOVEMENTS, RECORD-HIGH VOLUMES FOR Q1
April 13, 2022
The Port of Los Angeles (Port of LA) said the port processed record volumes in March and the first quarter of 2022 as the gateway also noted improved cargo flows in and out of North America's busiest container port.
Port of LA processed 958,674 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in March, which is its third consecutive monthly cargo record. The Port also completed its best first quarter ever, tracking 3.5% above last year's record.
"With improved fluidity on our docks and fewer vessels waiting to enter the port, our terminals are processing cargo at record levels," said Gene Seroka, Port of Los Angeles executive director.
Nonetheless, despite the improvements, Seroka said the port is not "taking anything for granted" and continues to implement measures to keep supply chains moving.
"We're using our Port Optimizer data to find developing issues and adjust to market demands. We will keep working at this every day," Seroka said.
3rd best month ever
The port noted that March TEUs of 958,674 TEUs represents the third-best month ever in the Port's 115-year history, just behind the 1,012,048 TEUs recorded last May and 980,729 TEUs in October 2020.
March 2022 loaded imports reached 495,196 TEUs compared to the previous year, an increase of 1%. Meanwhile, loaded exports came in at 11,781 TEUs, a 9% decrease compared to the same period last year.
Exports have now declined in 37 of the last 41 months in Los Angeles.
Port of LA saw empty containers climb to 351,697 TEUs, a jump of 2% compared to last year.
Three months into 2022, overall cargo volume has reached 2,682,034 TEUs, a 3.5% increase compared to the same period in 2021.
Seroka made the announcement during a media briefing where he hosted an interview with International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) International President Willie Adams and ILWU Coast Committeeman Frank Ponce De Leon.
The ILWU leaders discussed the perils that dockworkers have faced working through COVID-19, upcoming contract negotiations, and a range of other issues.
