Record April Volume at Port of Los Angeles

Another gangbuster month for the nation’s top port.

The Port of Los Angeles today reported handling 946,966 TEUs in April for its best April in the port’s history and its ninth consecutive month of year-over-year increases.

Year-to-date, overall cargo volume in the first four months of the year increased 42% compared to 2020 with the port processed 3,539,397 TEUs.

“We have set records six of the last nine months, and the other three months were very close to new milestones,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “It’s truly been an unprecedented run here in Los Angeles. I’m grateful to our dedicated labor force and waterfront partners who work so hard to keep improving our services.”

April 2021 loaded imports reached 490,127 TEUs for an increase of 32%, while loaded exports declined 12% to 114,449 TEUs, marking the 27th decline in exports over the last 30 months. Empty containers reached 342,391 TEUs, a jump of 82% compared to last year due to the heavy demand in Asia.

A total of 89 cargo vessels arrived in April, including two extra loaders.

“Fewer ships are going straight to anchor, and of those that do, the wait time is decreasing as our labor force and supply chain partners adeptly handle the steady stream of cargo on our docks,” Seroka added. “This volume surge has resulted in additional work opportunities for dockworkers, truckers, warehouse employees and others.”

Meanwhile, the Port of Long Beach, Los Angeles’ neighbor at the San Pedro Bay Port Complex and nation’s number two port, also reported record volumes in April largely driven by robust online purchases.

The Port of Los Angeles’s Executive Director Gene Seroka discusses the April figures in the video below:

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