Container volumes at U.S. ports soared in February, maintaining a robust performance for the year. The Port of Los Angeles, a key player in this surge, recorded a remarkable 60% rise in container processing compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 781,434 containers. This achievement marked the seventh consecutive month of year-over-year growth for the port.
During a recent media briefing, Gene Seroka, the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, expressed confidence in the port’s standing as a global gateway. Seroka highlighted the exceptional dedication of the port’s longshore workforce, operating under a stable long-term contract. He also emphasized the efficient flow of cargo, supported by available capacity, as indicated by current operational data.
Cumulatively, the Port of Los Angeles has handled 1,637,086 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) thus far, representing a significant 35% increase from the previous year.
Similarly, the Port of Long Beach experienced a substantial uptick in container volumes, reporting a 24.1% rise to 674,723 containers in February, up from 543,675 in the corresponding period last year. Port officials attributed this growth to several factors, including a slowdown in inflation rates, growing consumer confidence, and ongoing strategies aimed at reclaiming market share.
For the first two months of the year combined, the Port of Long Beach witnessed a notable 20.7% increase in container volumes, totaling 1,348,738 containers. This performance underscores the resilience and competitiveness of U.S. ports amid evolving market dynamics.
