By Mark Edward Nero
Containerized cargo volumes at the Port of Los Angeles decreased 6.1 percent in April 2015 compared to the same period last year, according to newly released data.
The port handled a total of 662,973 TEUs last month compared to 702,036 in April 2014.
The port partially attributes the decline to a “particularly robust” April 2014, when importers advanced inventory due to concerns about labor negotiations later in the year.
Imports dropped 9.9 percent, from 364,126 TEUs in April 2014 to 328,140 TEUs in April 2015. Also, exports declined 15.8 percent, from 172,945 TEUs in April 2014 to 145,655 TEUs in April 2015.
Combined, total loaded imports and exports decreased 11.8 percent, from 537,071 TEUs in April 2014 to 473,796 TEUs in April 2015. Factoring in empties, which increased 12 percent, overall April 2015 volume of 662,973 TEUs was a drop of 6.1 percent from April 2014.
For the first four months of 2015, the port’s overall volume of 2.48 million TEUs represents a slide of 5.3 percent compared to the same period in 2014; for the fiscal year, which began in July, volumes are down just 0.14 percent.
Current and historical data container counts for the Port of Los Angeles may be found at: http://www.portoflosangeles.org/maritime/stats.asp
