Manufacturing, retail sectors create record year for Los Angeles port

The Port of Los Angeles moved more cargo in 2018 than any time in its 111-year history, racking up 9.458 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), 1.2% more than 2017’s record-breaking year. It is the third consecutive year of record volumes for the nation’s leading port for containerized trade and the most cargo moved annually by a Western Hemisphere port.

“2018 was marked by a robust economy coupled with tariff-induced surges of cargo headed to U.S. retail and manufacturing sectors,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said in a statement. “These extraordinary volumes highlight the need for continued stakeholder collaboration on methods to maximize supply chain efficiency. Through a number of initiatives, we are focused on both physical and digital infrastructure enhancements that continue to ensure the reliable, safe and efficient conveyance of cargo through our gateway.”

In December, the Port processed 903,258 TEUs, the busiest December in the Port’s 111-year history and a 15.9% jump compared to the previous year. It was the sixth consecutive month of volumes exceeding 800,000 TEUs.

December imports increased 21.6% to 468,906 TEUs. Exports decreased 3.2% to 147,965 TEUs. Along with an 18.9% rise in empty containers, overall December TEUs totaled 903,258, an increase of 15.9% compared to the previous year.