LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Port of Los Angeles announced today that it processed 961,833 cargo units in August, the first monthly cargo increase in a year.
August saw a 12% gain in cargo compared to the previous month and was driven by imports, which eclipsed 500,000 for the first time, port officials said.
Year to date, cargo has decreased 11.7% compared to 2019.
“In May we saw our lowest container volumes in more than a decade,'' Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said. “Since then, there has been a significant replenishment of warehouse inventories. Coupled with retailers planning for consumer holiday spending, it has created a surge of imports.
“With our recently released Signal data, powered by the Port Optimizer, we are working with supply chain partners to improve cargo fluidity and advanced visibility to track, plan and prepare for cargo,'' Seroka added.
The Signal provides a three-week look at cargo coming into Los Angeles and is updated daily.
August loaded imports increased 18% to 516,286 cargo units compared to the previous year, while loaded exports decreased 10.2% to 131,429 cargo units. Empty containers increased 13.3% to 314,118 units.
There was one canceled sailing in August, with none scheduled for September. The port said it had 89 vessel calls in August, including eight megaships (container ships capable of handling more than 13,000 cargo units).
APL Merlion unloaded nearly 29,600 cargo units during its visit in August, holding the second highest all-time record for units handled in a single ship visit, the port reported.
Historical cargo numbers are available at www.portoflosangeles.org/business/statistics/container-statistics.
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