The Port of Los Angeles processed 832,331 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in November 2018, the fifth consecutive month volumes exceeded 800,000 TEUs and the sixth busiest month in the Port’s history. The Port is on track to surpass 9 million TEUs once again this year. “In November, we processed a number of high-volume vessels brought into service to facilitate the holiday season cargo surge and accommodate the push to import cargo before tariffs that were previously scheduled to increase on January 1st,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “As we enjoy the holiday season, I’m grateful to all of our labor workforce, customers and stakeholders for the role they play in moving such a high volume of trade. As 2019 approaches, we are committed to tackling the challenges and seizing the opportunities that await.” The Eleonora Maersk, calling at the Port’s APM Terminals, set a North American record for a single cargo vessel with the off-loading and then loading of 27,846 TEUs. November 2018 imports decreased 8.8 percent to 422,793 TEUs compared to last year. Exports fell 14.3 percent to 152,527 TEUs, while empty containers decreased 9.1 percent to 257,011 TEUs. Combined, November overall volumes were 832,331 TEUs, a 9.9 percent decrease compared to last year. Last November’s 924,256 TEUs were an all-time record until it was surpassed in October 2018. Eleven months into 2018, overall volumes are 8,555,490 TEUs, nearly the same volumes compared to 2017 when the Port set an all-time annual cargo record. The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovatively strategic and sustainable operations that benefit Southern California’s economy and quality of life. North America’s leading seaport by container volume and cargo value, the Port of Los Angeles facilitated $284 billion in trade during 2017. San Pedro Bay port complex operations and commerce facilitate one in nine jobs in the five-county Southern California region. Source: Port of Los Angeles
The Port of Los Angeles has handled 8,555,490 TEU in the first 11 months of 2018, putting it on track to break the annual cargo volume record set in 2017. November's volume marked five consecutive months of processing over 800,000 TEUs, as high-volume vessels are being used to meet demand for the holiday season. In a press release announcing its latest record, the port said that "2017 was an incredible year for our port." However, last month's overall handled-volume of 832,331 TEUs was a 9.9% YoY decrease, and was also down from October's all-time cargo record.