Port of Los Angeles Reports Busiest September on Record

The Port of Los Angeles said this week that it processed 801,264 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) last month, a 4.9 percent increase compared with September 2017 and the strongest September in the Port's 111-year history. This was the third straight month the port has moved more than 800,000 TEUs.

Imports increased 6.6 percent to 414,281 TEUs compared with the year-ago period. Exports increased 14.5 percent to 147,000 TEUs. Empty containers—generally boxes returned empty to Asia for loading—fell 2.7 percent to 239,983 TEUs.

Nine months into 2018, volumes have decreased 1.75 percent to 6.8 million TEUs compared the year-ago period, when the port set an all-time cargo record.

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka attributed the month's increase to two key factors: shippers importing holiday season inventories and manufacturers bringing supplies and materials ahead of time to avoid additional costs associated with tariffs.