By Mark Edward Nero
Cargo volumes at the Port of Los Angeles reached 8.85 million TEUs in 2016, making it the busiest cargo year ever for a port in North America, according to POLA data.
The previous record was set in 2006, when the Port of LA handled 8.46 million TEUs.
“We’re breaking records because we understand the importance of innovating and collaborating to move our economy forward,” LA Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “We have seen incredible progress over the last two years.”
The port finished last year strong, with December 2016 recorded volumes of 796,536 TEUs, a 27 percent increase compared to the same month the previous December. The port says it was the busiest December and fourth quarter in its 110-year history.
Overall in 2016, cargo increased 8.5 percent compared to 2015.
“To handle this much volume with minimal issues is an extraordinary accomplishment and demonstrates our capability-building efforts here in the San Pedro Bay complex,” Port of LA Executive Director Gene Seroka said.
December imports jumped 22.6 percent to 394,217 TEUs, and exports rose 25.6 percent to 164,900 TEUs, according to data. Along with a 23.5 percent rise in empty containers, the port’s overall December container volumes were 796,536 TEUs.
Current and past data container counts for the Port of Los Angeles may be found at http://www.portoflosangeles.org/maritime/stats.asp
