Intermodal Briefs: Port of Long Beach, Port of Los Angeles

(Port of Long Beach)

The Port of Long Beach (POLB) and the Port of Los Angeles report an increase of trade in February.

POLB

“Cooling inflation, rising consumer confidence and an ongoing effort to recapture market share boosted cargo shipments moving through POLB in February,” the Port reported on March 13.

According to POLB, dockworkers and terminal operators moved 674,723 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last month, up 24.1% from February 2023. Imports were up 29.4% to 329,850 TEUs and exports declined 21.1% to 87,474 TEUs. Empty containers moving through the Port increased 44.8% to 257,400 TEUs.

“Our top-notch customer service and ongoing efforts to attract business back to the West Coast are paying off,” said POLB CEO Mario Cordero. “We continue to invest in infrastructure projects that will keep us competitive and sustainable for decades to come.”

“Our highly skilled workforce has helped us achieve year-over-year increases in cargo for the last six months,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bobby Olvera Jr. “Customers are taking notice that our infrastructure projects and environmental programs make us the Port of Choice.”

POLB has moved 1,348,738 TEUs during the first two months of 2024, a 20.7% increase from the same period in 2023.

Complete cargo numbers are available here.

Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles processed 781,434 TEUs in February, a 60% increase over the previous year. It was the seventh consecutive month of year-over-year growth, the Port reported on March 18.

February 2024 loaded imports landed at 408,764 TEUs, up 64% compared to the previous year. Loaded exports came in at 132,755 TEUs, an increase of 61% compared to last year. The Port processed 239,916 empty containers, up 54% over 2023.

Two months into 2024, the Port of Los Angeles has handled a total of 1,637,086 TEUs, a 35% increase over 2023.

“Market confidence in our gateway is as strong as it’s ever been,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka at a media briefing. “We’ve got the world’s best longshore workforce eager to work with a long-term contract in place. And our current operational data indicates that cargo is flowing efficiently, with additional capacity available.

 “With American consumers still spending and economic indicators positive, the Port of Los Angeles is well-positioned as we move into the second quarter,” added Seroka, who was joined at the Port’s media briefing by Leo Huisman, APM Terminals’ Regional Managing Director, Americas. Huisman oversees 14 container terminals in eight countries across North and South America, including APM Terminals Pacific at the Port of Los Angeles.

Huisman spotlighted how container terminals need to evolve to be successful into the future.

“Our industry has always proven resilient in the face of disruption and change over time,” Huisman said. “For our collective success in the future, terminal and port operators need to be thinking about how best to prepare for improving our infrastructure, increasing sustainability, and upskilling the workforce.”

Current and historical cargo data, including fiscal year-end totals, are available here.