By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Los Angeles became the port with the most container throughput in the western hemisphere last week when it welcomed its nine millionth TEU in 12 months with Evergreen Line’s Ever Sigma container ship.
"Nine million TEUs is a major milestone for Los Angeles, and it’s only fitting that Evergreen Line, a longstanding customer, discharged the box that set this new Western Hemisphere record," said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. "Their operation in Los Angeles is an example of how our customers and supply chain partners are continually adapting to the changing dynamics in the marketplace."
The 12 months measured for this new record is based on the port’s fiscal year, which spans from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017.
"As a Port of Los Angeles tenant and partner for more than 50 years, Evergreen is proud to be the shipping line that delivered the nine millionth TEU during this 12-month period," said Evergreen, Roy Amalfitano, Vice Chairman of Evergreen Shipping Agency (America) Corp. "Congratulations to everyone involved, including captain and crew of the Ever Sigma, the ILWU labor workforce and the Everport terminal management team in Los Angeles. Los Angeles remains an important and strategic gateway for Evergreen, and we look forward to growing our business via the Port of Los Angeles."
In 2006, Los Angeles became the first port to go beyond eight millions TEUs in annual throughput.