Imports up 32%, exports down 12%
The good news is that the Port of Los Angeles saw its busiest April in the 114 years it’s been in operation, as reported on May 13 at https://www.portoflosangeles.org/references/news_051321_aprilvolume.
The spike of 37 percent over 2020 came as the Port handled nearly 1 million 20-foot equivalent units, or TEUS, during April. That number made the month the ninth consecutive in year-over-year increases, and overall cargo volume is up 42 percent compared to 2020.
At the same time that April 2021 loaded imports reached 490,127 TEUs, loaded exports declined 12 percent to 114,449 TEUs, marking the 27th decline over the last 30 months, the story said. Empty containers reached 342,391 TEUs, a jump of 82 percent compared to last year due to the heavy demand in Asia.
But the totals – since January the Port has processed 3,539,397 TEUs –
“continue to trend in the right direction,” according to a quote from Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. He said in the article, “We have set records six of the last nine months, and the other three months were very close to new milestones. It’s truly been an unprecedented run here in Los Angeles. I’m grateful to our dedicated labor force and waterfront partners who work so hard to keep improving our services.”
Seroka continued in the story, “Fewer ships are going straight to anchor, and of those that do, the wait time is decreasing as our labor force and supply chain partners adeptly handle the steady stream of cargo on our docks. This volume surge has resulted in additional work opportunities for dockworkers, truckers, warehouse employees and others.”
A total of 89 cargo vessels arrived in April, including two extra loaders, the story said.
The Port of Los Angeles is North America’s leading seaport by container volume and cargo value, and it “facilitated $259 billion in trade during 2020. San Pedro Bay port complex operations and commerce facilitate one in nine jobs across the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura. The Port of Los Angeles has remained open with all terminals running throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.” For a look at the activity, go to https://www.portoflosangeles.org/business/operations.
For current and historical cargo data, visit the port’s website at https://www.portoflosangeles.org/business/statistics/container-statistics.
