Cargo Volume Rises at Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach

Port of Long Beach photo

The Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach recently reported that cargo volume in October has increased compared to the previous year.

For the third consecutive month, Port of Los Angeles reported that cargo volume has increased with the Port having processed 725,775 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in October, a 7% improvement compared to last year.

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 totaled 232,043 TEUs, an 8% decline compared to last year.

“Our terminal operators, labor and other stakeholders have worked hard to earn cargo market share back over the last three months,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “Additionally, November is also shaping up to be a strong month as we see a final holiday push and warehouse replenishment.”

Seroka also announced the return of Zim Integrated Shipping Services, 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.”

Ten months into 2023, the Port says it has processed 7,123,900 TEUs, 16.6% less than the same period last year. Current and historical cargo data, including fiscal year-end totals, are available here.

Cargo moving through the Port of Long Beach in October rose for a second consecutive month “amid preparations for the upcoming holiday shopping season and ongoing efforts to recapture market share,” the Port reported.

Dockworkers and terminal operators moved 755,150 TEUs last month, up 14.7% from October 2022. Imports increased 23.6% to 363,300 TEUs and exports decreased 24.8% to 90,073 TEUs. Empty containers moved through the Port grew 23.3% to 301,777 TEUs.

“Cargo is rebounding, and we are continuing to collaborate with our industry partners to recapture market share and invest in infrastructure that will position us for future growth,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “We are anticipating moderate growth through the rest of the year as retailers continue to stock shelves for the winter holidays.”

“We appreciate the hard work of our terminal operators, truckers, dockworkers and all of our supply chain partners who keep the goods moving through our Port and delivered to our communities, region, state and nation,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bobby Olvera Jr. “As we are closing out 2023, we are excited for 2024 and continuing to deliver top-notch customer service while being sustainable and a good community partner.”

The Port has moved 6,577,815 TEUs during the first 10 months of 2023, down 17.8% from the same period last year. Cargo flows this year have been on pace with pre-pandemic levels when the Port of Long Beach moved more than 6.36 million TEUs through October 2019.

Complete cargo numbers for the Port of Long Beach are available here.