POLA and POLB set new monthly volume records in May

Another month brought another set of records for the two largest ports in the United States—the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and the Port of Long Beach (POLB)—according to data recently issued by the ports.  

POLA reported that total May volume—at 1,012,248 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units)—saw a 74% annual increase, setting a new record in the port’s 114-year history, and topping the previous monthly high set in April, at 946,966 TEU. This also marks the 10th straight month of annual increases, as well as the, first time a Western Hemisphere port has topped 1 million TEU in a month.

POLA imports—at 535,714 TEU—were up 75% annually, with port officials noting that this also set a new all-time monthly record, eclipsing August 2020’s 516,286 TEU. Exports—at 109,886 TEU—saw a 5.3% annual gain, and empty containers—at 366,448 TEU—rose 114% annually, spurred on by heavy demand in Asia, and representing the most empties ever processed at POLA in a single month.

On a year-to-date basis through May, total POLA volume—at 4,551,445 TEU—is up 48.2% compared to the same period a year ago. POLA said last week the port set another Western Hemisphere record, processing more than 10 million TEUs in a 12-month period that will end June 30. 

“The historic level of cargo that we’re managing reflects our commitment to reach new heights by working with our partners to further enhance our productivity, throughput and velocity,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka in a statement. “Much credit goes to our longshore workforce, truckers, terminal operators, ocean carriers, railroads and other stakeholders for scaling up to meet this extraordinary demand.”

POLB Data: The Port of Long Beach reported that May volumes also hit a new monthly record, coming in at 907,216 TEU, increasing 44.4% annually, topping the previous high set in March by 66,829 TEU. This also marks the first time monthly volumes came in above the 900,000 TEU mark in the port’s 110 years of operation.

POLB imports—at 444,736 TEU—saw a 42.3% annual gain, with exports eking out a 0.6% increase, to 134,345 TEU. Empty containers increased 80.7% annually, to 327,135 TEU.

Over the first five months of 2021, POLB handled 4,029,532 TEU, for a 42.3% annual gain.  

“We are seeing a demand for more goods as the country continues to open up and people return to work,” said Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach, in a statement. “Even as we continue to set records during this unprecedented moment in our industry, this is still a fragile moment for the economy and we remain optimistic about our country’s continued recovery.”