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SAN PEDRO (CNS) - The Port of Los Angeles saw a 3% increase in cargo in August, compared to the same period last year, marking the port's first year- over-year increase in 13 months, port officials announced Thursday.
Gene Seroka, executive director of the port, noted during a virtual news briefing Thursday morning that August was a "very solid month," with increases on both the import and export sides of the port's business.
"Overall, global trade has eased this year and expect that trend to continue in the coming months," Seroka said. "Operationally, Los Angeles stands ready with capacity. We're prepared to scale on demand."
He said the port moved a total of 828,016 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units, or TEUs, in August.
The port's loaded imports landed at 433,224 TEUs, an increase of 7% compared to August 2022, while loaded exports came in at 124,988 TEUs, also an increase of about 22% compared to last year.
Empty containers totaled 269,804 TEUs, a 10% year-over-year decline, Seroka said.
Eight months into 2023, the port processed 5,649,686 TEUs, 21% less than the same period last year. He added that August 2023 container counts may change upon final verification.
Lastly, Seroka emphasized that the recent ratification of the six-year contract between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association restores stability and confidence to customers as they make decisions on where to ship their cargo.
"With this contract in effect through 2028, you can continue to count on our longshore workers and terminal operators to keep cargo moving through the nation's busiest port," Serkoa said during the briefing. "When we are operating on all cylinders like we are right now, there's no better choice for cargo than the Port of Los Angeles."