We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
Home » Cargo volume up at West Coast ports

Cargo volume up at West Coast ports

Imports surge in Oakland and Los Angeles, Vancouver posts record 2020 as strong consumer demand boosts activity nationwide.

March 17, 2021
DC Velocity Staff
No Comments

The ports of Los Angeles and Oakland reported surges in import cargo last month, as trade continues to bounce back from the pandemic-driven lows of a year ago.

Officials in Los Angeles reported a nearly 53% year-over-year increase in loaded imports during the month and a 47% increase in total cargo processed through the port. Officials said the port processed 799, 315 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), marking the strongest February on record.

“One year ago, global trade slowed to a crawl as the Covid-19 pandemic first hit China and then spread worldwide,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said in a statement Wednesday. “Today, we are in the seventh month of an unparalleled import surge, driven by unprecedented demands by American consumers.”

In Oakland, imports roared back from a January decline, rising more than 26% percent year-over-year. Imports had fallen 12% in January, primarily due to congestion at Southern California ports that delayed Oakland arrivals, officials said. The port handled 80,200 import containers during the month, marking its busiest February on record. Officials credited strong consumer spending for the rebound.

“It’s what we expected,” Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes said in a statement Monday. “Oakland continues to benefit from an unrelenting trade boom. We also completed the assembly of three new giant cranes, which will further improve efficiency.”

Strong import volume is expected through at least the second quarter of 2021, Oakland officials also said, adding that retailers, manufacturers, and e-commerce distributors continue to drive the surge.

Although cargo volume is growing, Oakland officials said ship arrivals are down 26% as shipping lines consolidate cargo on fewer vessels to cut operating costs and continued disruption at Southern ports causes some ships to miss Oakland calls. They said exports were down in February as well, falling 26% as scarce vessel space hindered exporters attempting to ship cargo overseas.

Loaded exports were down in Los Angeles as well, falling nearly 25% compared to a year ago. Empty containers, which are heavily in demand in Asia, surged 104% in L.A. compared to a year ago, reaching 285,223 TEUs.

Further north, the Port of Vancouver USA reported a record-breaking 2020, saying it moved more than 7 million metric tons of commodities during the year, with energy infrastructure components leading the way. Officials said the port saw the highest returns in its 108-year history, with revenues totaling $50 million, a 15% increase over 2019.

In addition to wind energy components, the port moved more than 5 million metric tons of grain, 300,000 metric tons of copper concentrate, and nearly 90,000 automobiles, with a record number of 3,350 autos received on a single vessel in October.

Maritime & Ocean Ports Containers
KEYWORDS Port of Los Angeles Port of Oakland Port of Vancouver USA
  • Related Articles

    Cargo volume up at East, West Coast Ports

    August cargo volume up at East, West Coast ports

    Cargo volume down at East, West Coast ports

Recent Articles by DC Velocity Staff

Hyundai teams with pharmacy startup to build autonomous prescription delivery

Omnichannel investments create ‘hybrid’ shoppers

Labor and skills shortage slow corporate dash toward digitalization

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Container prices continue to drop

  • Autonomous trucking firms launch partnerships with freight transportation providers

  • Demand for piece-picking robots gains steam

  • Now's the time to be a logistics professional

  • Empty shipping containers stack up at U.S. port depots

Now Playing on DCV-TV

2dcbde76 075e 42bb b3e8 eff953b01b02

Logiwa Offers Total Visibility and Control Over Your Fulfillment Network

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
Adding more fulfillment centers and the trend toward micro-fulfillment means you need the visibility and control provided by software like Logiwa WMS. Struggling to build out your direct-to-consumer fulfillment network while still maintaining visibility and control? Logiwa helps you build and run highly efficient...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Guide to Proven Warehouse Solutions

  • Five common misconceptions about running a private fleet

  • Optimize AS/RS With Advanced Warehouse Execution Software

  • The Value of Genuine Parts and Service

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2022. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing