Port of Los Angeles April volumes dip as lockdown impact rolls on

The Port of Los Angeles has met expectations handling 887,357 TEU in April 2022, whilst registering a loss in loaded imports and exports.

Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, predicted container volumes to reach near 900,000 TEU in April.

Marking the second-best April in its history, the port has processed more than 3.5 million TEU so far this year – 1 per cent ahead of last year’s record.

Overall, April volumes were second only to 2021, when the Port of Los Angeles moved 946,966 TEU.

April 2022 loaded imports reached 456,670 TEU compared to the previous year, a decrease of 6.8 per cent but 17 per cent higher than the five-year April average of 390,000 TEU.

Loaded exports came in at 99,878 TEU, a 12.7 per cent decrease compared to the same period last year.

Empty containers reached 330,810 TEU, down 3.4 per cent year-on-year.

“We’ve had a remarkably strong start to the year and cargo continues to flow into Los Angeles despite some of the COVID-19 lockdowns in China,” said Seroka.

“While there are impacts being seen from sub-assembly to manufacturing through delivery, transpacific trade has held steady.”

Looking forward, Seroka added that the port does not anticipate any abrupt changes; he warned that the situation in China may lead to a lull in volume with a quick bounce back once the lockdowns end.

The Port of Los Angeles recently announced record-breaking volumes for March, making Q1 2022 its best quarter yet.

During the port’s most recent media briefing, Seroka announced that that a total of 958,674 TEU passed through Los Angeles’ facilities in March.

https://www.porttechnology.org/news/port-of-los-angeles-april-volumes-dip-as-lockdown-impact-rolls-on/