The Port of Los Angeles is poised to achieve a remarkable milestone as it heads toward processing over 10 million container units in 2024, with December expected to set new records.
Port officials reported handling more than 880,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in November, marking a 16% increase compared to the same period last year. The total container volume for 2024 has already reached 9.3 million TEUs.
Executive Director Gene Seroka announced at a recent media briefing that the port is running 19% ahead of 2023 figures and 7% above the five-year average. This puts the port on track to exceed 10 million TEUs for only the second time since its establishment 117 years ago.
While December typically sees slower activity, this year is breaking the pattern. Port authorities anticipate processing over 900,000 TEUs this month, setting a new December record.
Several factors are driving this surge in activity. The ongoing labor contract disputes at East and Gulf Coast ports have resulted in cargo being redirected to the West Coast. Additionally, merchants are rushing to move goods ahead of potential new tariffs, leading to increased shipping volume.
November's breakdown shows the port processed 458,165 loaded imports, 124,117 loaded exports, and 302,033 empty containers. This activity follows a pattern of recovery from previous years, where volumes dropped from 10.6 million units in 2021 to 9.9 million in 2022 and 8.6 million in 2023.
The Port of Los Angeles, maintaining its position as one of the nation's busiest ports for over two decades, appears set to strengthen its role in global trade as 2024 comes to a close.