By Mark Edward Nero
Port of Los Angeles container terminals handled a total of 791,863 TEUs last month, making it the second-highest month in the port’s history, according to newly-released data.
The busiest single month remains October 2006, when the port moved 800,063 TEUs.
Containerized cargo volumes at the port increased 17.3 percent in March 2015 compared to the same period last year, according the data, which was released by the port April 16.
March was the first full month of cargo movement since the Pacific Maritime Association and International Longshore & Warehouse Union announced a tentative agreement on a new five-year contract. In the months before the agreement, productivity had slid significantly, with each side blaming the other for it.
Imports increased 31.5 percent last month, rising from 327,497 TEUs in March 2014 to 430,898 TEUs in March 2015. However, exports declined 22.5 percent, falling from 187,826 TEUs in March 2014 to 145,536 TEUs last month. Combined, total loaded imports and exports increased 11.86 percent, from 515,323 TEUs in March 2014 to 576,434 TEUs in March 2015. Factoring in empties, which increased 34.7 percent, overall volumes improved 17.3 percent last month.
“March container volumes were robust as our terminals worked aggressively to clear out the backlog of vessels,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said. “The number of ships waiting at anchor has reduced significantly, labor levels are strong and our container terminals are extremely active. We continue to work on a series of initiatives to improve efficiencies throughout the supply chain.”
Next week, the Port of LA is expected to co-host a stakeholders meeting with the Port of Long Beach to discuss solutions to improve and strengthen the San Pedro Bay supply chain.
For the first three months of 2015, overall volumes – a total of 1.82 million TEUs – have decreased five percent compared to the same period in 2014.
Current and past data container counts for the Port of Los Angeles may be found at: http://www.portoflosangeles.org/maritime/stats.asp.