Port of Los Angeles Sees Cargo Increase Two Consecutive Months

While container movement in April was down compared to the prior year, the Port of Los Angeles announced May 18 that it has seen an increase in the number of Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) being handled for two consecutive months.

In March 2023, cargo at the Port of Los Angeles increased 28% over February 2023, and April 2023 cargo was 10% higher than March 2023.

The Port of Los Angeles reported processing 688,110 TEUs in April 2023, down 22% compared to last April, which was one of the busiest on record.

April 2023 loaded imports reached 343,689 TEUs, down 25% compared to the previous year. Loaded exports came in at 88,202 TEUs, a decline of 12% compared to last year. Empty containers landed at 256,220 TEUs, a 23% year-over-year decline.

During the first four months of 2023, the Port handled 2,525,204 TEUs, a 29% decline compared to the same period in 2022. Last year was the best four-month start in the Port’s history.

“A cooling global economy, warehouses laden with aging inventory and prolonged West Coast labor negotiations have all contributed to a slowdown in trade,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “If economic conditions improve and we get a labor deal in place, that will help improve volume the second half of the year. We are prepared for the next cargo surge, whenever it comes.”

Seroka announced the latest data at a media briefing, where he was joined by Alan McCorkle, President and CEO of Yusen Terminals, a marine container terminal at the Port of Los Angeles. McCorkle noted that Yusen is set to receive the first five commercially available zero-emissions top handlers later this year. The battery-electric top handlers, essential to container terminal operations, have been in demonstration mode at the port complex.