The Port of Los Angeles saw cargo volumes for August drop 15% year over year, moving about 806,000 TEUs last month, according to initial data released by the port Thursday.
This comes after the nation’s busiest seaport experienced record-shattering cargo numbers in 2021 and the first part of this year.
At a media briefing, port Executive Director Gene Seroka said that some fall and winter season goods that usually come in August have been arriving sooner to ensure that goods reach their destination in time.
“Additionally, inflationary concerns and elevated inventory levels have made some retailers and e-commerce sellers more cautious,” he explained.
“We’ve been able to nearly eliminate the backlog of ships waiting to enter the port by 90% compared to earlier this year,” Seroka added. “We’ve got capacity on our terminals and the ability to handle cargo coming in more efficiently than last holiday season.”
The port saw an estimated 17% drop in imports last month to 404,000 TEUs and an 1% uptick in loaded exports in August at an estimated 100,000 TEUs. Meanwhile, the port saw August empties fall 18% year over year at an estimated 301,000 TEUs.