Port of Los Angeles Sees 12% April Increase Compared to 2023

The Port of Los Angeles handled 770,337 container units in April, marking a 12% increase over the previous year and the ninth consecutive month of year-over-year growth.

In the first four months of 2024, LA port workers have processed 3,150,841 TEUs, nearly 25% more than in 2023 and 5% higher than the Port’s five-year average dating back to 2019, which includes two years of record volumes during the pandemic.

“All our vital operational statistics at the Port of Los Angeles are at or better than pre-COVID levels,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “I’ve been urging shippers to take advantage of our fluid terminals and excess capacity. We’re ready to upscale on demand as we move into the second half of 2024.”

At the Port’s media briefing, Seroka was joined by Daniel Hackett of Hackett Associates, which produces a rolling six-month forecast of imports for 16 major container ports across North America. Hackett provided insights into the rise of West Coast cargo volumes over the past year and the outlook for the traditional peak season later this year.

In April 2024, loaded imports reached 416,929 TEUs, a 21% increase compared to the previous year. Loaded exports were 133,046 TEUs, up 51% from last year, marking the 11th consecutive month of year-over-year export gains. Additionally, the port processed 220,262 empty containers, a 14% decrease compared to 2023.