North America’s largest port, Los Angeles, handled around 5.7 million TEU in the first seven months of the year, 18% more than in the same period last year. Last month was also the best July in the port’s 116-year history.
In July, the Port of Los Angeles handled a record-breaking 939,600 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units), up 37% year-over-year. Full container imports reached 501,281 TEU in July, an increase of 38%. Exports amounted to 114,889 TEU – an increase of 4%. It was the 14th consecutive month of year-over-year export growth in Los Angeles.
Earlier shopping for Christmas business
“We’ve seen an influx of Christmas items coming through our docks a little earlier than usual to avoid the risk of delays later in the year,” explained Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, at a press conference. “These goods – for example, toys, electronics and apparel – arrive at the same time as the typical back-to-school, fall fashion and Halloween merchandise. An early peak season has helped boost volumes here in Los Angeles.”
Empty container throughput in Los Angeles increases significantly
The handling of empty containers also increased significantly in July compared to 2023: 323,431 empty containers were handled at the port, an increase of 54%.
To put this into perspective, in 2023 the port generated a trade volume of US$292bn and handled a total of 8.6 million container units, confirming its leading position among US ports ahead of Long Beach.
