SAN PEDRO (CNS) - The Port of Los Angeles had the busiest May in its 112-year history, breaking a container volume record, it was announced today.
The port moved 828,662 twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEUs, in May, reflecting growth of 7.8 percent compared to last May.
For the first five months of this year, volumes have increased 5.2 percent compared to the same period in 2018, the Port reported.
“I'm extremely pleased with another record month of throughput and grateful to our supply chain stakeholders, terminal operators and unparalleled labor force for their performance,” said Gene Seroka, the port's executive director. “As we prepare for our traditional peak shipping season in the months ahead, we're closely monitoring global trade tensions that have created heightened unpredictability.”
May imports increased 5.5 percent to 427,789 TEUs, when compared to a year ago. Exports decreased 0.8 percent to 167,357 TEUs. Empty containers increased 20 percent to 233,515 TEUs.
Previously, the strongest May volumes at the Port occurred in 2017, with 796,217 TEUs.
TEU is a standardized maritime industry measurement used when counting cargo containers of varying lengths.
Photo: Getty Images