The Port of Los Angeles has become the first port in the Western Hemisphere to handle 10 million TEU in a 12-month period, the latest volume milestone it has passed since the surge in container traffic since the middle of 2020.
The Port said it handled its 10 millionth TEU during the call of the CMA CGM Amerigo Vespucci, a vessel from CMA CGM, its largest customer.
Additionally, it said it expects to handle 10.8 million TEU in 2020-2021 Fiscal Year, which will end on June 30, attributing the figures to pandemic-induced consumer buying and substantial restocking of retailer shelves and e-commerce warehouses.
Port Executive Director Gene Seroka described the achievement as a result of the “incredibly hard work and perseverance of many” and said the Port will continue its “sustained focus on supply chain digitalisation, infrastructure investments and strong business relationships”.
Ed Aldridge, President of CMA CGM and APL North America, stated, “As the Port of Los Angeles’ largest ocean carrier, the CMA CGM Group ships thousands of containers to and from California every day.
“But today’s historic TEU –– number 10 million for the Port –– carries more than just cargo, but hope. It shows that, as the pandemic subsides in the United States, the American economy is roaring back to life.
“CMA CGM is committed to delivering the essentials that keep the country moving as well as proposing agile logistics solutions to its customers, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Port of Los Angeles to deliver the goods Americans need to return to normal.”
