The Port of Los Angeles handled 650,977 TEUs in March, achieving an increase of 12.7% in comparison to the same month in 2018. For the first quarter of 2019, container volumes grew 4.6%, the company said in its release.
According to Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka, despite global uncertainties, the port achieved a strong first quarter development.
During March 2019, imports rose by 12.4% to 297,187 TEUs compared to the previous year.
However, the exports decreased 2.9% to 158,924 TEUs.
Empty containers increased 30.2% to 194,866 TEUs.
Moreover, Seroka highlighted that the terminal’s supply chain stakeholders have processed record amounts of cargo in recent months and they anticipate greater efficiency improvement with the Port Optimizer that was rolled out in the first quarter.
Mainly, “Port Optimizer” is digital information portal developed by the Port in collaboration with GE Transportation. The optimizer aggregates key cargo data online to facilitate better cargo tracking, projections and productivity.
The retailers forecast an uptick in summer consumer demand, as well.
The Port of Los Angeles facilitated $284 billion in trade during 2017. San Pedro Bay port complex operations and commerce facilitate one in nine jobs in the five-county Southern California region.
