By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Los Angeles posted its busiest April in history, moving 736,466 TEUs last month, according to latest numbers released Thursday.
This represents a 4.4 percent increase over April 2018 and 3 percent more than April 2017, which previously held the record with 714,755 TEUs.
This is despite flat imports, which were at 360,745 TEUs, and a 5.6 percent drop in exports to 155,533 TEUs. Empty containers, which are shipped overseas to be replenished with goods, jumped 22.5 percent to 220,189 TEUs.
Compared to 2018, port volumes are up 4.5 percent in the first four months of the year.
“With three-plus years of record throughput, we are focused on partnering with our stakeholders to refine operations for even greater efficiencies,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “Despite heightened uncertainty in global trade, we continue to invest and prepare our infrastructure and services to provide the best value for our customers.”