POLA and POLB post strong April volumes, setting records in the process

Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and Port of Long Beach (POLB) volumes impressed in April, according to data respectively issued by the ports in recent days.

Total April POLA volumes—at 887,357 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units)—were off 6.29% compared to April 2021. Despite the decline, POLA said that this tally marked the second-highest April in the port’s history, with April 2021’s 946,966 TEU the highest April for the port.

POLA April imports—at 456,669 TEU—were down 6.8% annually while posting a 17% gain over the five-year average, for April, of 390,000 TEU. Exports—at 99,878 TEU—were down 12.7% annually, now having declined in 38 of the last 42 months, POLA said. And empty containers—at 330,810 TEU—were off 3.4% annually.

Through the first four months of 2022, total POLA volume—at 3,569,391 TEU—is up 0.85% annually.

“We’ve had a remarkably strong start to the year and cargo continues to flow into Los Angeles despite some of the COVID lockdowns in China,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka in a statement. “While there are impacts being seen from sub-assembly to manufacturing through delivery, transpacific trade has held steady. Looking forward, while we don’t expect any abrupt changes, the situation in China may lead to a lull in volume with a fairly quick bounce back once the lockdowns end.”

POLB data: Total POLB volume came in at 820,718 TEU, for a 10% annual increase, and setting a new April record, topping the previous record set in April 2021.

Imports—at 400,803 TEU—saw a 9.2% annual increase, and exports decreased 1.8%, to 121,876 TEU. Empty containers saw a 16.9% annual increase, to 298,039 TEU.

Through the first four months of 2022, total POLB volume is up 5.1% annually, to 3,281,377 TEU.

“Cargo continues to move at a record-setting pace and may not slow down anytime soon,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero in a statement. “We are preparing for a likely summertime surge as China recovers from an extended shutdown due to COVID-19. Shippers are quickly moving imports and empties from the docks, terminals are staying open longer and we are working to finalize our new Supply Chain Information Highway data tracking solution.”