June was an upswing month for cargo at the ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles and Oakland, which all reported year-over-year growth last month, according to data released July 16-17.
The Port of Long Beach said that it saw its busiest June ever with 842,446 TEUs last month, a 41.1% spike from June 2023. June’s volumes eclipsed the port’s previous record, which was June 2022, by 7,034 TEUs, according to data released July 16.
Imports soared 53% to 419,698 TEUs, while exports were up 4% to 98,300 TEUs, the port said.
During the first half of 2024, Long Beach handled nearly 4.3 million TEUs data show, 15% more than the first six months of 2023.
The port attributed the record numbers to robust consumer spending, possible tariff increases and labor contract talks at East and Gulf Coast seaports.
“We are recapturing market share and consumer spending is driving cargo to our docks as we head into the peak shipping season,” Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero said. “I see modest growth for the second half of 2024 as we strengthen our competitiveness and continue to invest in our rail infrastructure projects that will maximize cargo velocity efficiently and sustainably for decades to come.”
The Port of Los Angeles handled 827,757 TEUs last month, 1% more from June 2023 (the port’s best month last year) and 10% more from May 2023, the port announced July 17.
The port moved 428,753 TEUs in loaded imports in June, a 1.5% dip from June 2023, while the port processed 122,515 TEUs in loaded exports, a 13% jump from the same time last year. This marked the 13th straight month of year-over-year export growth at the POLA.
In the first half of this year, Los Angeles is processing 14% more cargo than it did in the first six months of 2023, so far moving more than 4.7 million TEUs this year, according to the data.
“The U.S. economy continues to be the primary driver of our cargo volume and I expect to see that continue in the months ahead,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said. “We have ample capacity on our docks to efficiently handle more goods as retailers and e-commerce outlets begin to move fall fashion, Halloween and year-end holiday items through the supply chain.”
In Northern California, the Port of Oakland reported 84,040 TEUs in full imports in June, a 26.8% jump from June 2023, making it the busiest month since August 2022, according to data released by Oakland July 17.
The port saw a 22.9% year-over-year spike in full exports last month with 66,540 TEUs, a sign that Oakland’s recovering from pandemic-era volumes as exports have stabilized around 65,000 to 70,000 TEUs every month, according to the data.
“We are seeing promising signs from ocean carriers and importers, who are beginning to increase their inventories in preparation to meet holiday and year-end shopping demand,” Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes said. “The peak season usually begins in late summer to early fall, but this year it appears to be early. July is forecasted to ease a bit with the rest of the year continuing with strong volumes.”
