Cargo volume at the Port of Los Angeles dropped 25 per cent year-on-year in October with the end of peak season.
The port handled 678,429 TEU last month, the lowest figure in months.
The Port of Los Angeles has processed 8,542,944 TEU during the first 10 months of 2022, about 6 per cent down from last year’s record pace.
Coming out of its peak season, the port reported a slowdown in cargo operations in recent months after record-breaking cargo volume in 2021 and the first half of 2022.
Los Angeles’ news follows figures from the Port of Long Beach, which registered a soft cargo drop following reduced consumer demand and a shift of imported goods toward the Gulf and East coasts.
“With cargo owners bringing goods in early this year, our peak season was in June and July instead of September and October,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said during a media briefing.
“Additionally, cargo has shifted away from the West Coast as some shippers await the conclusion of labour contract negotiations.
“We’ll do everything in our power to get that cargo back because the best route between Asia and the United States is straight through the Port of Los Angeles.”
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October 2022 loaded imports reached 336,307 TEU, down 28 per cent compared to the previous year.
Loaded exports came in at 89,722 TEU, a decline of 8.7 per cent compared to last October.
Empty containers landed at 252,401 TEU, a 25 per cent year-over-year decline.
