The Port of Los Angeles handled 798,932 TEUs in August, its strongest month since 2006. It was the second busiest month in the port’s 109-year history, eclipsed only by October 2006, when it handled 800,063 TEUs. For the first eight months of 2016, year-to-date volumes have increased 4.3 per cent compared to 2015 to 5.62m TEUs.
“Strong numbers on both our import and export cargo during the industry’s peak season indicates confidence in our ability to meet supply chain expectations,” said Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka.
“While our industry is currently facing many challenges, the Port of Los Angeles remains committed to handling the nation’s cargo with speed, efficiency and first-class service.”
In August, loaded imports increased 0.9 per cent to 411,366 TEUs compared to the previous August. Loaded exports increased 6.3 per centto 153,005 TEUs. Combined, total loaded volumes grew 2.3 per cent to 564,271 TEUs.
With a slight increase in empty containers of 0.2 per cent, overall August volumes were 798,932 TEUs, an increase of 1.6 per cent compared to August 2015.
At the adjacent Port of Long Beach, meanwhile, exports surged 14.8 per cent in August compared to the same month in 2015. However lower imports drove overall volumes down.
Harbour terminals moved 641,029 TEUs, an 8.9 per cent year-on-year decrease. Of those, 159,247 TEUs were exports, 321,625 TEUs were import containers and empties accounted for 160,157 containers.
Currently, shipping lines are continuing to consolidate service routes to optimise vessel utilization during the holiday peak season and in anticipation of the new, planned ocean carrier alliances.
Other factors impacting Port container volumes are domestic retail inventories that remain high even as strong consumer spending continues to power the nation’s economy. The Port’s August throughput was not affected by Hanjin’s filing for court receivership on 31 August.
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