LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Port of Los Angeles announced today that February was its seventh consecutive month of year-over-year increases, with a 47% increase in 20-Foot Equivalent Units processed compared to the previous February.
The port processed 799,315 TEUs during February, making it the strongest February in the 114 years the port has existed.
“One year ago, global trade slowed to a crawl as the COVID-19 pandemic first hit China and then spread worldwide,'' said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “Today, we are in the seventh month of an unparalleled import surge, driven by unprecedented demands by American consumers.''
Empty containers, which are in demand in Asia, also increased with 285,223 handled in February 2021, a 104% increase from the previous February.
While imports and empty containers surged, exports decreased 24.7%, with 101,208 TEUs, in February 2021 compared to the same time last year, officials said.
“Our challenges now are focused on getting port workers vaccinated and assisting stakeholders in managing this heavy flow of cargo,'' Seroka said. “We will do everything we can to help get shipping lines back on schedule. It's critical that we clear the backlog of cargo and return more certainty to the Pacific trade.''
Photo: Getty Images
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