In March, the Port of Los Angeles saw a remarkable surge, handling 743,417 container units, marking a 19% increase compared to the same month in the previous year.
This achievement marked the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year growth at the busiest port in the United States.
During the first quarter ending on 31 March, local dockworkers facilitated the movement of 2,380,503 TEUs across Los Angeles marine terminals, representing a nearly 30% rise from 2023. This performance ranks among the Port’s strongest first-quarter starts, second only to the import surge witnessed during the pandemic in 2021 and 2022.
“Moving into April and the second quarter, I expect robust cargo flow to continue here. A strong job market and continued consumer spending, along with our ability to handle additional volume, will help drive cargo to Los Angeles in the coming months,” stated Gene Seroka, executive director of Port of Los Angeles.
Seroka, accompanied by Anne Neuberger, deputy national security advisor for Cyber and Emerging Tech, addressed the Port’s media briefing. Neuberger, in her role as deputy assistant to President Biden, provides counsel on cybersecurity, digital innovation, and emerging technologies.
During the briefing, Neuberger discussed President Biden’s recent executive order aimed at strengthening cybersecurity measures at US ports.
In March 2024, loaded imports at 379,542 TEUs rose by 19% compared to the previous year. Loaded exports amounted to 144,718 TEUs, marking a notable 47% increase from the previous year. This month’s export performance was the Port’s strongest since January 2020, extending a streak of 10 consecutive months of year-over-year export growth.
The Californian port also handled 219,158 empty containers, reflecting a 7% increase over the figures from 2023.