Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach report mixed April volumes

April volumes at the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and the Port of Long Beach (POLB) were mixed, according to data issued by the ports recently.

POLA handled 703,536 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) in April, which was down 1.3% annually compared to the 714,755 TEU recorded in April 2017.

POLA April imports were off 2.9% annually to 361,108 TEU, and exports headed up 4.5% to 164,703 TEU. Empty containers were down 2.9% to 179,724 TEU.

 On a year-to-date basis through April, total POLA volume, at 2,817,189 TEU is down 4.7% compared to the same period a year ago.

 “I’m pleased with the levels of efficiency and productivity we’re witnessing at our terminals,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka in a statement. “We continue to bring technology enhancements like GE Transportation’s Port Optimzer to our customers so that we can continue the unparalleled service that cargo owners need and expect.”

POLB April volumes were up 10.8% annually at 618,438 TEU. Imports saw an 8.4% annual gain to 312,376 TEU, and exports increased 22% to 141,799 TEU. Empty containers were up 7% to 164,264 TEU.

On a year-to-date basis through April, total POLB volumes are up 17.2% to at 2,513,316 TEU. Imports are up 14.8% at 1,247,102 TEU, and exports are up 12.8% at 535,636 TEU.

 “Both imports and exports are beating expectations so far this year,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero in a statement. “For us, part of that is the shift of services we saw a year ago, but at least some of our strong growth appears to be a result of trade tensions as anxious shippers rush to get their cargo to overseas markets.”

 The aforementioned trade tensions cited by Cordero has been confirmed by data and analysis from global trade intelligence firm Panjiva.

Over the last several months, Panjiva has stated repeatedly that a recent easing in shipments from China is not directly related to tariffs on shipments from China being implemented but rather to concerns that tariffs ‘might’ be implemented.