By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Los Angeles set a new single-month record for cargo volumes for the fourth consecutive month, according to the numbers released Monday. The nation’s busiest seaport handled 912,154 TEUs, making it the busiest July in the port’s 112-year history.
Imports jumped 8.7 percent to 476,438 TEUs, while exports dipped 4 percent to 161,340 TEUs. Empty containers, which are sent overseas to be refilled with goods, soared 20.7 percent to 274,376 TEUs year over year.
July 2019 was the port’s third busiest month and the fourth time it moved more than 900,000 TEUs.
“Container exchange per vessel reached 9,915 TEUs, the highest and most efficient level we’ve ever experienced,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “Despite the continued decline in exports and high level of uncertainty driven by trade tensions, we continue to optimize our facilities and are grateful for the support and confidence of our supply chain partners.”
Cargo volumes are 6 percent higher in the first seven months of 2019 when compared to the same period in 2018, which was a record year for Los Angeles.