Los Angeles and Long Beach ports saw an 18% increase in container throughput in January

Gene Seroka, Executive Director of LAGene Seroka Port in Los Angeles, delivered a speech at the 7th Annual "Port Status" event of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association

In January 2023, the container volume at the West Coast gateway ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in the United States surged as retailers restocked before the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday.

The Port of Los Angeles reported that 855652 TEUs were processed in January this year, an 18% increase from the same period in 2023.

Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, cited two reasons for the strong box office performance in the first month of 2024.

He said, "Firstly, the shipper has been replenishing inventory and quickly transporting goods before the Lunar New Year holiday, which will slow down production in Asia."

Secondly, consumer spending and most strong economic data continue to accelerate the US economy Seroka stated that holiday sales in the previous quarter increased by nearly 4%, employment growth was strong, and other key indicators are also moving in a positive direction.

In January 2024, the loaded imports at Los Angeles Port were 441763 teu, an increase of 19% compared to last year, while the loaded exports were 126554 teu, an increase of 23% compared to last year.

The situation at Changtan Port is similar, with a year-on-year increase of 17.5% in throughput in January, reaching 674015 TEU.

"Retailers hoarded inventory in January because we usually see a slowdown in import activities during Lunar New Year celebrations," said Mario Cordro, CEO of Long Beach Port. We are ready to increase sales and hope to maintain sustained growth until 2024 as we gradually regain market share

In January, imports at Changtan Port increased by 23.5% to 325339 teu, while exports decreased by 18.1% to 86525 teu.