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The port registered a 27% increase last month year-on-year, making the month its busiest June ever
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The port closed the fiscal year at almost 10.9 million TEUs to set a new milestone
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Key economic indicators all suggest that US consumer spending will remain strong through the remainder of 2021
The Port of Los Angeles processed 876,430 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in June, a 27% increase year-on-year, making the month the port’s busiest June ever.
However, statistics show the volume for June is lower than May’s recorded 1.01 million TEUs and indicate a gradual tapering of traffic similar to what is being seen at the Port of Long Beach, the second busiest container port in the United States.
READ: Port of Long Beach volumes level off in June
Los Angeles port, North America’s leading seaport by container volume and cargo value, closed the fiscal year (FY) at 10,879,383 TEUs in June, a new milestone for any Western Hemisphere port.
Over the past 12 months, the port eclipsed eight monthly records, and had its two highest performing quarters and top four individual months in its 114-year history.
“Key economic indicators all suggest that U.S. consumer spending will remain strong through the remainder of 2021,” said executive director Gene Seroka in a statement. “Even as Americans return to airline travel, vacations and in-person events, retail sales and e-commerce remain robust.
“Fall fashion, back-to-school items and Halloween goods are arriving on our docks, and some retailers are shipping year-end holiday products early,” Seroka added. “All signs point to a robust second half of the year, which is good news.”
June 2021 loaded imports reached 467,763 TEUs compared to the previous year, an increase of 27% but lower than May’s volume of 535,714 TEUs.
Loaded exports decreased 12% to 96,067 TEUs compared to the same period last year and were also below the 109,886 TEUs registered in May. June exports were also the lowest amount of exports at the Port of Los Angeles since 2005.
Empty containers climbed to 312,600 TEUs, a jump of 47% compared to last year due to the heavy demand in Asia.
The total June 2021 volume of 876,430 TEUs surpassed the pre-pandemic June 2019 record of 764,777 TEUs by 15%. The fiscal year close of nearly 10.9 million TEUs is 12% higher than the previous 12-month record, when the port handled almost 9.7 million TEUs in FY 2018-19.
Six months into the 2021 calendar year, overall cargo volume is 5.4 million TEUs, an increase of 44% compared to 2020.
Photo from Port of Los Angeles website
