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Port of Los Angeles hits record annual container volume of 10.87m teu

The Port of Los Angeles has closed its fiscal year with record volumes of 10.87m teu, setting a new Western Hemisphere record as the economy rebounded from Covid-19 shutdowns.

1 Min Read
Gene Seroka, Port of Los Angeles
Image: Port of Los Angeles YouTube

The nation’s busiest port finished it fiscal year in June moving 876,430 teu for its busiest June ever. Over the past 12 months, the Port of Los Angeles surpassed eight monthly records, had its two highest-performing quarters, and had its top four individual months in the port’s history.

There was a huge imbalance between loaded imports and exports in June with loaded exports decreasing 12% to 96,067 teu, lowest level since 2005, while loaded imports were 467,763 teu in June up 27% year-on-year. Empty containers, mainly bound for Asia jumped 47% to 312,600 teu in June

The outlook for the US’s largest container port remains buoyant with import demand expected to continue. “Key economic indicators all suggest that US consumer spending will remain strong through the remainder of 2021,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka.

However, this will continue to pressure on already stretched terminal operations. As Seatrade Maritime News reported yesterday congestion is starting to build again at US West Coast ports with over 20 containerships now waiting at anchor in San Pedro Bay to enter the port of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Seroka commented: “While all these milestones are inspiring the cargo continues to move at a record pace and there is no lull in the action, no half time intermission. We have to continue to squeeze every ounce of efficiency out of this port complex.”

Related:Congestion starts to grow again at US West Coast ports

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Port of Los Angeles

About the Authors

Michele Labrut

Americas Correspondent

Michèle Labrut is a long-time Panama resident, a journalist and correspondent, and has continuously covered the maritime sector of Central & Latin America.

Michèle first came to Panama as a press attaché to the French Embassy and then returned to the isthmus as a foreign correspondent in the 1980s.

Author of Seatrade Maritime's annual Panama Maritime Review magazine and of several books, Michèle also wrote for Time magazine, The Miami Herald, NBC News and the Economist Intelligence Unit. She has also collaborated in making several documentaries for the BBC and European and U.S. television networks.

Michèle's profession necessitates a profound knowledge of the country, but her acumen is not from necessity alone, but a genuine passion for Panama.

In 2012 she was awarded the Order of Merit (Knight grade) by the French Government for her services to international journalism and in 2021 the upgrade to Chevalier grade.

Marcus Hand

Editor

Marcus Hand is the editor of Seatrade Maritime News and a dedicated maritime journalist with over two decades of experience covering the shipping industry in Asia.

Marcus is also an experienced industry commentator and has chaired many conferences and round tables. Before joining Seatrade at the beginning of 2010, Marcus worked for the shipping industry journal Lloyd's List for a decade and before that the Singapore Business Times covering shipping and aviation.

In November 2022, Marcus was announced as a member of the Board of Advisors to the Singapore Journal of Maritime Talent and Technology (SJMTT) to help bring together thought leadership around the key areas of talent and technology.

Marcus is the founder of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast that delivers commentary, opinions and conversations on shipping's most important topics.

Conferences & Webinars

Marcus Hand regularly moderates at international maritime events. Below you’ll find a list of selected past conferences and webinars.

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