By Mark Edward Nero
The Port of Los Angeles handled 798,932 TEUs in August 2016, making it the port’s strongest month since 2006, according to recently released data.
Additionally, last month was the second busiest month in the port’s 109-year history, eclipsed only by October 2006, when the port handled 800,063 TEUs, according to data released Sept. 15.
In August, loaded imports increased 0.9 percent to 411,366 TEUs compared to the previous August.
Loaded exports increased 6.3 percent to 153,005 TEUs. Combined, total loaded volumes grew 2.3 percent to 564,271 TEUs.
With a slight increase in empty containers of 0.2 percent, overall August volumes were 798,932 TEUs, an increase of 1.6 percent compared to August 2015.
“Strong numbers on both our import and export cargo during the industry’s peak season indicates confidence in our ability to meet supply chain expectations,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said in a statement.
For the first eight months of 2016, LA’s year-to-date volumes rose 4.3 percent compared to 2015, according to data released Sept. 15. Year to date, overall cargo volumes have increased 4.3 percent to 5,620,400 TEUs compared to the same period in 2015.
Current and past data container counts for the Port of LA is available at: http://www.portoflosangeles.org/maritime/stats.asp.