Port of LA Sees Record May Container Traffic

The Port of Los Angeles saw an increase in overall cargo volumes by 11 percent in May compared to the same period last year, marking the busiest May in the port’s 109-year history. 

May loaded imports increased by 15 percent to 400,765 TEUs. In addition, loaded exports rose 6.3 percent to 162,487 TEUs. Along with a 7.1 percent rise in empty containers, overall May container volumes were 770,409 TEUs.

Through May, total 2016 cargo volumes were 3,457,569 TEUs, an increase of 8.7 percent compared to the same period in 2015.

“The strong growth both on the import and export side is encouraging as we continue to explore ways to improve supply chain efficiencies,” Gene Seroka, the Port of Los Angeles’ Executive Director, said.

South California’s second largest container port, the Port of Long Beach, also saw an improvement in container cargo numbers that rose 0.8 percent in May, compared to the same month in 2015. The 640,566 TEUs handled qualified the last month as the second-busiest May in the port’s 105-year history.