Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach get out of the gate strong in January with volume gains

By Jeff Berman, Group News Editor
February 15, 2016

January volumes at the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and the Port of Long Beach (POLB) were both strong to kick off 2016, according to data respectively issued by the ports last week. 

POLA and POLB are the two largest North American ports, and they collectively account for more than 40 percent of U.S. imports. As previously reported, West coast port volumes, especially in first half of 2015, had been uneven, as ports had to work through the backlog caused by the nine-month West Coast port labor dispute between the PMA and ILWU, which reached a resolution in the form of a new contract agreement that was reached last spring.

Total POLA volume was up 33 percent annually in January at 704,398 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units), with the port noting the month saw its highest-ever volumes for January.

POLA imports saw a 41.6 percent annual increase to 367,208 TEU, and exports were up 1.5 percent at 126,240 TEU. Empties rose 44 percent to 210,949 TEU.

“Record January volumes is a very encouraging way to start 2016, particularly after the slow start that West Coast ports experienced last year,” said POLA Executive Director Gene Seroka in a statement. “As cargo owners replenish their inventories after the holiday season, our terminals and supply chain partners continue to demonstrate progress in moving larger container volumes per ship call, and we are grateful for the work they’ve done in recent months to increase supply chain efficiencies and optimization.”

And POLA Media Relations Manager Philip Sanfield added that the 33 percent is definitely a byproduct of a very slow January, which was impacted by congestion.

“However, in terms of pure volume, this was significant because we’ve never broken the 700,000 TEU mark in January,” he said. “We think it may reflect: U.S. economy (buyers/consumer confidence) showing some legs and signs of strength; shippers knowing that the Port of LA can effectively handle/process the largest ships serving North America; and customers/stakeholders responding to the improvements in supply chain efficiencies at the Port of LA over the last year. There could also be some early cargo moving in advance of the Lunar New Year. It will be interesting to see what our February numbers are.”

POLB posted its seventh straight month of gains, with total volume up 24.8 percent at 536,188 TEU.

POLB imports were up 30.3 percent at 278,491 TEU, and exports headed up 8.4 percent to 106,739 TEU. Empties increased 28.6 percent to 150,958 TEU.

“We are encouraged by the strong start to the year, which stands in stark contrast to the congestion we faced a year ago,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Jon Slangerup. “Our January results are another indicator that the hard work by our entire Port team – our customers, employees, business partners and key community stakeholders – continues to deliver superior results. We are off to a solid start in 2016 and will continue to make the necessary strategic investments in capital, energy and innovative solutions to ensure that Long Beach remains theport of choice for international trade.”